Tokyo Tech students visit
Nippon Koei Co. Ltd.

Field trip is one of the effective forms of education. Exposing our students to multiple work or academic-related environments prepare them for the future and enable them to witness the relevance of the academic courses or subjects they are currently taking.

 

Since the 1st visit of GSEP students in November 2016, Tokyo Institute of Technology has kept good relationship with Nippon Koei. A few months after that first field trip, a formal agreement for research collaboration and exchange between both parties have been signed. This paved the way for technological sharing and human resource linkages. Through the agreement, another field trip was conducted with the initiative of Prof. Naoya Abe of the Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering on October 16, 2018.

 

The delegates from Tokyo Tech comprised the 2nd batch of GSEP students together with the Prof. Norihiro Nakai, dean of the School of Environment and Society, civil engineering students led by Prof. Mitsuyasu Iwanami, and GSEP lecturers. They were warmly welcomed by the staff of Nippon Koei, most of whom were also former graduates of Tokyo Tech.

 

Organized by Nippon Koei’s staff, Ms. Misaki Moriki and Mr. Hikaru Tanaka who are both alumni of Tokyo Tech, an orientation of Nippon Koei’s history and services, and a field trip to the memorial room of its founder and office spaces were held. The orientation started with a welcome speech from Mr. Hiroshi Tanaka, expert adviser and chief technology engineer. He introduced the company’s history focusing on its 1st overseas infrastructure development project in Myanmar (Baluchaung Hydropower Project, 1953) which has been used as the symbol for Japan’s overseas development assistance (ODA) projects abroad. In addition to consulting services, he emphasized on the importance of research by showcasing the company’s research and development center along with its international partners (including Tokyo Tech).

 

The orientation was followed by three presentations conducted by Nippon Koei employees who are alumni of Tokyo Tech. Currently working in Nippon Koei’s Research and Development Center, Dr. Rubel Das, a former member of Hanaoka research group led by Prof. Shinya Hanaoka, introduced the consulting services of Nippon Koei and his appreciation of Nippon Koei’s social responsibility and supportiveness for research and development. Furthermore, he recognizes the importance of transdiciplinary learning to the accomplishment and sustainability of Nippon Koei’s projects. As a researcher, he continues to invent open-source GIS tools and publish his works for the benefit of society. Mr. Keisuke Kusuhara, who belongs to the Port & Airport Department, shared his experience in port planning and cargo demand forecast. Physical modeling of waves, which are founded on partial differential equations taught in TSE, are crucial to the design and safety of ports. Keisuke shared the immensity of works during the construction stage which begins with drafting a comprehensive master plan and conducting project risk assessments such as the experience with Bali Beach’s conservation project. Nevertheless, he finds the job challenging and fulfilling, allowing him to travel many places around the world, while being able to spend leisurely time with his family during the weekends in Tokyo Tech’s scenic wood deck. The third presentation which focused on another project mainly dealing with waste water treatment was conducted by Mr. Takashi Nakajima. Unlike the preceding presentations, he talked about his experience working on a project in Japan. He talked about his on-going challenge of designing a protective roof for a water supply. There are many possible options for designing an infrastructure and the most crucial factor for its selection is its suitability to the area. Takashi pointed out that the main difference between domestic projects and international projects is that in domestic projects, fundamental knowledge is known but would still require wisdom.

 

After the insightful orientation, the guests were given a tour of the the company’s headquarters starting with the memorial room of Nippon Koei’s founder, Mr. Yutaka Kubota, and the Japanese-style workspace. Mr. Hiroshi Tanaka gave a brief summary about Mr. Kubota’s life and how he has been a major influence to modern-day overseas infrastructure projects. Mr. Kubota’s initiative to pursue engineering overseas was the key for Nippon Koei to be the leader in consulting in Japan. The guests were then guided to the workplace where employees continue to work on their tasks for the day. The guests were given a brief orientation about the domestic division’s workplace before listening to a talk about a recent completion of New Thaketa bridge in Myanmar, led by Nippon Koei’s young engineers, Mr. Tetsuro Goda from the Highway & Bridges Dept. According to the news video clips shown in Japan and Myanmar, and those taken from their last drone surveillance, the new bridge construction has proved to be very useful for commuters in Myanmar.

After the brief field trip, a welcome party was held at the headquarter’s cafeteria. More Nippon Koei staff who were also alumni of Tokyo Tech caught up during the welcome party. The party provided a venue for detailed discussions about work life in Nippon Koei among students, faculty, and Nippon Koei’s staff.

 

Tokyo Tech wishes to thank Nippon Koei for another year of fruitful collaboration, and more importantly, exposure of its students to the real life of scientists and engineers.

 

A report of the field trip by Mr. Jeremy Gavriel, 2nd year, GSEP student, can be found here.

 

Written by Alvin C.G. Varquez

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