Promoting exchange between international students/researchers and other IIS members 500²ÊƱÍø D&I Actions and Messages
¨D 500²ÊƱÍø D&I Campaign 2022 ¨D
500²ÊƱÍø has launched a campaign aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, and making the university a place where people from diverse backgrounds can thrive. The initiative, called 500²ÊƱÍø D&I Campaign 2022, started in March 2022. Here, we introduce plans and actions related to D&I initiatives from members of the 500²ÊƱÍø community, including deans and directors of various 500²ÊƱÍø organizations.
Actions and Messages
Promoting exchange between international students/researchers and other IIS members
Toru H. OKABE, Director General, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS)
The Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), which accepts numerous international researchers and students, has been strengthening its support system in order to help its members with diverse backgrounds to adapt smoothly into its working and research environment. In recent years, we have been focusing on networking and interaction within IIS and have actively organized a variety of events to promote this.
International Day, which consists of an introduction by international students and researchers of their own culture, Japanese cultural performances by outside performers, and a standing buffet party, attracts around 200-300 participants each year. Since 2011, the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) has also joined the event, which has enabled the formation of a Komaba Research Campus-wide network.
In 2020, we also started International Mixers, which are small seasonal events (Tanabata or Halloween for example), as a further opportunity for exchange. The program was particularly appreciated by international students and was effective in terms of their mental care, as international students tend to be more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
