From February 27 (Tue) to March 8 (Thu) , “KIT Bio Tech × IT Spring School 2018”, led by Professor Kaeko Kamei (Molecular Chemistry and Engineering) and Associate Professor Masayuki Fukuzawa (Information and Human Sciences), was held.

In this program, 10 students* from 5 universities in 3 countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) and 7 students from KIT participated under the JST Sakura Science Program Fund.
Participants were divided into 2 groups, Bio and IT, according to their specialized fields and attended special lectures and workshops. The Bio group conducted three experiments including the use of Drosophila that KIT boasts worldwide, and “Research on bacterial control by natural products” on which Prof. Kamei has been conducting joint research with Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian countries for about 20 years. Furthermore, KIT students taught the group how to use precision instruments, which are not available in their universities. In the IT group, Assoc. Prof. Fukuzawa instructed the students to create a “dashboard prototype using a wireless IoT device”, and participants worked in teams of two. A joint report meeting was held on the final day. The Bio group was divided into three groups with each reporting the results of one experiment. The IT group put together a proposal of a unique system for data conversion of workers’ efficiency and remote monitoring of the transportation of goods, by utilizing the function of sensors that detect the movement of humans and objects.
As it was the first visit to Japan for the majority of the participants, emphasis was given not only to academic aspects but also to introducing the society and culture of Japan. Visits were made to renown companies, such as Meiji Holdings CO., Ltd. and SHIMADZU CORPORARION, and participants said that they were “as precise and polite as imagined”. In addition, the students experienced making sweets and they enjoyed the traditional culture of Japan’s ancient capital.

In a program where people from 4 countries gathered, a connection beyond language and nationality was born and on the last day there were many voices regretting farewell. Some students were attracted by KIT’s educational program and expressed interest in joining the graduate school in the future. Finally, for the Japanese students who participated in the program as supporters, it became an experience that enhanced their motivation to study abroad, thus becoming a very meaningful 10-day program for all participants.

*Participants breakdown
University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam): 2 students
Can Tho University (Vietnam): 2 students
Royal University of Phnom Penh (Cambodia): 2 students, 1 lecturer
Kirirom Institute of Technology (Cambodia): 2 students
National University of Laos (Laos): 2 students, 1 Associate Professor

• IT group workshop
• Bio group practical work
• Making Japanese sweets
• Completion ceremony