Tokyo Institute of Technology: Tokyo Tech Academy for Super Smart Society holds opening ceremony
The Tokyo Tech Academy for SSS was established in December 2019 after the Institute’s “Engineering Education Program for Super Smart Society based on Advanced Quantum Science” was selected by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a Doctoral Program for World-leading Innovative & Smart Education (WISE). The academy aims to develop professionals who can integrate physical space and cyber space while combining cutting-edge technologies in fields such as quantum science and artificial intelligence, and as a result lead Society 5.0.
President Kazuya Masu delivers welcome message at opening ceremony
President Kazuya Masu delivers welcome message at opening ceremony
To kick off the ceremony, President Kazuya Masu greeted the audience and introduced Tokyo Tech’s initiatives within the WISE-SSS program. Guest speakers Akinori Mori, deputy director-general at MEXT, and Takahiro Hagiwara, deputy director-general at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), also delivered messages of hope and expectations regarding the program.
SSS promotion projects
As the event progressed, Professor Nobuyuki Iwatsuki of the School of Engineering, who also serves as the chair of the Steering Committee at the SSS Promotion Consortium, introduced some of the innovative projects being conducted within the consortium. The SSS Promotion Consortium, which functions as the collaborative foundation of the Tokyo Tech Academy for SSS, consists of partners from Japanese National Research and Development Agencies, private corporations, and municipal bodies.
Iwatsuki’s talk was followed by Professor Tomohiko Uyematsu, dean of the School of Engineering, who explained how the “Engineering Education Program for Super Smart Society based on Advanced Quantum Science” came to be designated by MEXT. Professor Noriyuki Ueda, dean of the Institute for Liberal Arts, also contributed by suggesting ways to advance human resource education in Society 5.0. Under the leadership of Ueda, Tokyo Tech’s Institute for Liberal Arts has been promoting a thorough liberal arts education that supplements technical expertise throughout Tokyo Tech’s bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral courses since 2016.
Ceremony being held remotely in multiple locations
Ceremony being held remotely in multiple locations
SSS initiatives by sector and program expectations
Next, program faculty members representing each sector delivered messages about ongoing initiatives and expectations for the program. As a representative of the general advisors, Institute Professor Takao Kashiwagi, who serves as the project leader at the Solution Research Center for Advanced Energy Systems, Institute of Innovative Research, proposed a next-generation energy strategy and HR development towards the realization of a society with lower carbon emissions.
Dr. Makoto Ando, another representative of the special advisors and advisor for the National Institute of Technology, introduced trends in academic and scientific technologies for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and suggested a future direction for Tokyo Tech and the curriculum of this program.
As a representative of the municipal advisors, Kazunori Sato from Kawasaki City introduced the city’s SSS initiatives and delivered a message of hope regarding the research and education exchanges conducted by Tokyo Tech.
Dr. Fumihide Kojima, a representative of the research advisors and the director at Wireless Systems Laboratory, Wireless Networks Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, discussed research concerning the digital transformation of society and his high expectations for human resource development via the program.
Nobuaki Kawahara from DENSO Corporation described his vision of a mobility society in 2030, and introduced initiatives in his organization. In addition, he shared his expectations that graduates from the Tokyo Tech Academy for SSS will drive the future.
Finally, as a representative of the overseas advisors for the program, Dr. Thomas Haustein from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), the largest application research institute in Europe, joined the event live from Germany. He introduced research and education activities leading to SSS, which are drawing interest from around the world, and described his hopes for global leadership development required for Society 5.0.
Dr. Haustein joining live from Germany
Introduction of WISE-SSS curriculum
Professor Kei Sakaguchi, who serves as the program coordinator and dean of the Tokyo Tech Academy for SSS, explained its unique features. The education program closely collaborates with industries bridged by the SSS Promotion Consortium. By providing graduate students with specialized knowledge and the ability to formulate visions through open education and open innovation, the program aims to cultivate highly skilled doctoral degree holders with the technical and professional knowledge to lead in industry, government, and academia in the forthcoming super smart society.
Prof. Sakaguchi, dean of Tokyo Tech Academy for SSS, introducing curriculum
Introduction of SSS Research & Education fields
Representatives from four of the SSS Research and Education fields — quantum computers, smart robotics, smart mobility, and TSUBAME+AI — broadcasted live from their research sites to introduce their facilities and activities.
Assoc. Prof. Tetsuo Kodera, School of Engineering, explaining Quantum Computing field
Assoc. Prof. Takeshi Hatanaka, School of Engineering, describing Smart Robotics field
Assoc. Prof. Kazuki Maruta, Tokyo Tech Academy for SSS, speaking about Smart Mobility field
Prof. Toshio Endo, Global Scientific Information and Computing Center, talking about TSUBAME+AI field
A Q&A session was held before closing remarks provided by Tokyo Tech Executive Vice President for Education Tetsuya Mizumoto. During his comments, Mizumoto conveyed his appreciation to all the participants and expressed his hopes and aspirations for the future of Tokyo Tech.
Tokyo Tech Academy for Super Smart Society
Through a seamless, interdisciplinary academic program that spans the master’s and doctoral levels, the Tokyo Tech Academy for Super Smart Society develops professionals who can integrate physical space and cyber space while combining cutting-edge technologies in fields such as quantum science and artificial intelligence.