Technology Partnership of Nagoya University, Inc.
World Class Research Contributing to Society
NU Friends Scholarship
The Nagoya University Alumni Association (NUAL) US Chapter, also known as 'NU Friends,' provides the 'NU Friends Scholarship' to current Nagoya University students seeking to engage in international research or business activities in the U.S.
Voices of Our Scholars
2024 Scholar: Taiga Yamamoto
Junior at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering, Nagoya University
Purpose and Overview of Activities
I have been aspiring toward space since kindergarten, and I am currently dedicated to research in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Today, as I've become deeply involved in space engineering research and development, I've developed a desire to "connect more deeply with students worldwide" and "conduct research with people from around the world." In this activity, I participated in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) SciTech Forum held from January 6-10, 2025, attending for discussion and networking. Additionally, I revisited North Carolina State University, with which I had previous connections, and participated in the meeting of the local space engineering community for students, NCSU SEDS Chapter, to deepen exchange at an organizational level.
Results of Activities
1. Academic Exchange at the AIAA SciTech Forum
The AIAA SciTech Forum featured approximately 5,000 presentations, among which I participated in sessions on:
Presentations by researchers from across the United States and Europe provided valuable perspectives for considering my research activities at Nagoya University's laboratory from a more global viewpoint.
In addition, I engaged in discussions with presenters during each break, allowing for practical dialogue from the perspective of "how to actually realize these technologies."
Remarkably, numerous NASA researchers and executives of U.S. private companies that recently accomplished in-space experiment were in attendance, providing valuable networking opportunities. I continue to maintain contact with people I met after the conference, and I believe these ongoing relationships will be valuable connections for future research activities.
2. Exchange with NCSU SEDS Chapter Members
At North Carolina State University, I was able to reunite with members of SEDS (a space engineering community spread across the United States) whom I had known previously. They are developing projects aimed at participating in the URC (University Rover Challenge, an international Mars rover competition) and continue to learn from each other through weekly meetings where around 50 members present topics related to space development that interest them. This time, I was given the opportunity to participate in their meeting and introduce projects started-up in Japan. I was able to speak to approximately 10 members and deepen our exchange. Some were those researching in the same field, and some planning short-term study in Japan a few months later, allowing me to build important relationships that can continue and develop in the future.
3. Sharing Knowledge and Giving Back to Japanese Colleagues
After returning to Japan, I shared my experiences with members of the Nagoya University space development team NAFT, which I belong to as a club. Also, I shared with colleagues involved in lunar development projects. What was particularly impressive about my experience in the United States was the fundamental difference in space development goals between Japan and the U.S. For instance, in the context of human space exploration, while conferences often center discussions on lunar development in Japan, Mars is recognized as the ultimate goal in the United States. The Moon is positioned merely as a practice ground for going to Mars. In the conference's Space Exploration session, 70% of presentations focused on development with Mars, while 30% focused on near-term lunar development. Although heavily dependent on political backgrounds, I could tangibly feel that the future vision each conference participant envisioned clearly included "living on Mars." This difference in perspective is also an important viewpoint for development in Japan, and I believe sharing such experiences has helped provide reference information for my colleagues' goal setting and their career paths.
• Manned Lunar/Mars exploration
• Medical research toward constructing human habitation in space
• Rotating detonation rocket engines
Future Prospects
Through this experience, I became aware of the differences in the environment of space engineering research and development in the United States, while also building stimulating relationships through exchanges with students. There is no doubt that opportunities for international cooperation will continue to increase as our generation engages in space development. Now that I understand the differences in communication style and the way of research across countries, I will take them into my own research project. Furthermore, building on the international connections established, I am planning to implement a larger international exchange event in Tokyo in a few months, incorporating students from Japan, the United States, and Europe.
Words of Gratitude to Scholarship Donors
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the donors of the NU Friends Scholarship who supported such a valuable opportunity. Without offline interactions on-site, I would not have been able to sense the "common understanding" rooted in the local community or deepen intimate exchanges. I will continue activities to help space development enthusiasts around the world learn from each other's diverse perspectives.
2023 Scholar: Mariko Yoshida
Senior at the Department of Informatics, Nagoya University
In September 2023, I traveled to Minnesota, United States with the support of the NU Friends Scholarship to conduct research on the technology usage of the elderly and the provision of tech help resources in the region.
I am writing this report to provide an account of my activities and express my heartfelt gratitude to the generous supporters of this scholarship.
Outcome of the Activity
During my visit to Hennepin County, Minnesota, I had the opportunity to visit both the Edina Senior Center and the Eden Prairie Senior Center. At these centers, I observed senior tech help sessions and engaged in discussions with the staff members responsible for organizing these programs. This research endeavor was a crucial component of my graduation thesis, which focuses on the utilization of information technology by the elderly, conducted at the School of Informatics at Nagoya University.
At the Edina Senior Center, I observed IT sessions led by a local IT expert. Participants brought their personal information technology devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. I had the privilege of interacting with one senior who shared her technology-related challenges, particularly due to English not being her first language. This issue appears to be a common occurrence in the United States. I also had informative discussions with the dedicated staff members at the center.
In contrast, the Eden Prairie Senior Center hosted an event where local high school students aided elderly residents with their technology needs. This event featured multiple simultaneous sessions in a single room, allowing for interactions between the seniors, staff, and students. The staff member I conversed with emphasized the value of intergenerational interactions, a concept I had the chance to witness in action.
In addition to my observations, I conducted interviews with an elderly couple and their family to gain further insights into technology usage among the elderly. It became evident that technology use is a significant concern within elderly communities in the United States, often hindering their access to essential public and medical services.
I intend to incorporate these findings into my research group's discussions at Nagoya University and include them in my graduation thesis. Furthermore, I plan to present my research at an upcoming research conference in Nagoya.
Appreciation for the Scholarship Supporters
I am extremely grateful to have been a recipient to this scholarship. This scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to broaden my research perspective on a global scale through the invaluable observations and interviews I conducted in the United States. I am committed to further advancing my research endeavors at Nagoya University, leveraging the knowledge I have acquired during this scholarship-funded experience. Moreover, my aspiration is to contribute to global society by continuing my research work in the United States in the future.