Institute of Science Tokyo Launches Brand Action! Encouraging Active Participation in the Creation of a New University
As Tokyo Tech and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) seek to intertwine their traditions, fuse their innovative spirits, and form a new university in the fall of 2024, the communities have jointly launched a project to encourage active public participation in the creation of Institute of Science Tokyo.
Participants examining voting board and casting their votes
The “Institute of Science Tokyo Brand Action!” project began with its first phase in October 2023. A massive voting board was set up on the Tokyo Tech and TMDU campuses to gather opinions on the new university from students, faculty, staff, and other interested members of the public. The board contained four questions about the future institution:
- 1.
- What color would best represent Institute of Science Tokyo?
Most votes: Dark blue, followed by light blue. - 2.
- What shape would best represent Institute of Science Tokyo?
Most votes: Upward spiral. - 3.
- What is your image of the students at Institute of Science Tokyo?
Most votes: Steady and rational, but also daring and passionate. - 4.
- What is the most important element of Institute of Science Tokyo?
Most votes: World-leading research and education, but also research and education in new fields that extend beyond specific areas of expertise.
The first votes were cast by visitors to the Ochanomizu Festival at TMDU on October 14 and 15. The second batch of red stickers were placed on the voting board at the Tokyo Tech Festival two weeks later. A total of approximately 3,000 votes were cast, with similar trends emerging at both institutions. Those who felt that their opinions differed significantly from the options available were also able to share their views online.
In addition to submitting their votes, many participants were happy to voice their individual opinions out loud. A number of these comments reflected the positive outlook held by the voters regarding the new university’s potential research prowess and enhanced role as a global academic institution, particularly if the integration results in increased acquisition of funding.
Based on the high turnout in the first phase of the project, it has quickly become evident that the broader community is excited and eager to help shape Institute of Science Tokyo. As the integration process moves forward, the “Institute of Science Tokyo Brand Action!” project will continue to encourage the creation of a new, confident, united university through workshops and other activities, the results of which will be shared on the Tokyo Tech and TMDU websites.
TMDU President Yujiro Tanaka (left) and Tokyo Tech President Kazuya Masu viewing results and adding their opinions
Voting board displaying campusgoers’ opinions on Institute of Science Tokyo