Faculty’s Voice about GSEP – Prof. Jeffrey Cross

This article features Jeffrey Cross,  a professor in the department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering.

– What do you think about GSEP and who would be appropriate for GSEP ? 
About 10 years ago I came to Tokyo Tech after working at a Japanese corporate research laboratory. Initially, I began working on the internationalization strategy for the previous school of engineering. I visited many universities in Japan to learn about their engineering programs taught in English at the undergraduate level and proposed that Tokyo Tech’s school of engineering should consider starting an undergraduate program in English for Japanese and international students. The idea was not accepted at the time but two years ago GSEP began which made me feel pleased.  I think it important for Tokyo Tech to offer undergraduate courses in English for GSEP students as well as overseas exchange student that want to take classes for credit at Tokyo Tech.
I think GSEP is great opportunity for international students who are interested in Japanese culture and learning the Japanese language to pursue a bachelor of engineering degree at Japan’s premiere science and engineering institution. To my knowledge, there have been few GSEP applications from North America during the first two years but this year there several applications. I hope in the future GSEP will become more well known at high schools around the world and there will greater student diversity. Personally, I came to Japan from the USA over 20 years ago without being able to speak Japanese so I can emphatisize with the GSEP students about what it is like to adjust to life in Japan. I think it is important the GSEP candidates have a flexiable attitute which will allows them to adjust to life in Japan. In Japan there is a proverb that when entering the village a person adjusts to the rules of the village, In America, we say “when in Rome do as the Romans do,” which is the same.
– Could you tell us about your role in GSEP program (about your teaching/subject) ?
 When GSEP started, I was initially involved in marketing it together with the Asst. Profs. using facebook. In addition, I also contacted various high schools in Australia informing them about GSEP’s call for applications. Regarding teaching courses, in the first and second quarters, I teach educational technology classes, which 3rd year GSEP students can take in the institute for liberal arts. I also co-teach a course on introduction to materials science for second year students with Dr. Farid Triawan which will be held during the 4th quarter.
Furthermore, at Tokyo Tech I presently serve as the general manager of the online education development office (OEDO) which creates MOOCs on edX. Several times per year, OEDO holds video making workshops which GSEP students have participated in. In addition, we are currently creating a new MOOC on Autophagy and one of the 2nd year GSEP students works as a teaching assistant.
– Please tell us about your research.
I have various research topics covering educational technology, energy policy in Japan, biofuels, and materials simulation/processing. I typically allow students in my lab to choose their own topical research topic. I think students tend to be strongly motivated to pursue research topics that interest them.

Categories

Archives