UT Civil Mail News No.14

UT Civil Mail News No.14
January 9th, 2016
We have started to send monthly mail news to alumni members who have registered for
our on-line network and would like to provide useful and interesting topics for members.
If you have any requests, feel free to send an E-mail to:
[email protected].
Topics in the January issue include:
1. 30th Anniversary of the Host Family Program (December 4, 2015)
2. Annual alumni reunion and Construction site visit (October 30th, 2015)
3. UTokyo Alumni gathering for the seminar in Bankok (December 11, 2015)
Pic1: 30th Anniversary of the Host family program at Hongo
1. 30th Anniversary of the Host Family Program (December 4th, 2015)
The Annual Welcome Party of the Host Family Program was held at Sanjo-kaikan on
Hongo campus on December 4th, 2015. As this year was the 30th anniversary of our
program, the party was more impressive and memorable than usual. More than 100
members including foreign students, their families and host families and staff in the
department of Civil Engineering spent a joyful time together.
This program was started in 1985 by Dr. Hori (Alumnus in 1944) and Dr. Tamai
(alumnus in 1964), Emeritus Prof. at UTokyo, supported by members of Koishikawa
Rotary Club, then Prof. Koike (alumnus in 1980) succeeded as the president in 2002,
and since 2013 Prof. Tajima (alumnus in 1996) has managed this program. In addition,
since 2001 alumni have joined us as host families and now 59 hosts, including 39
alumni, support 62 foreign students in our department, which encouragingly is almost
half of all of our foreign students.
In total, we’ve supported 208 graduates from 34 countries for 30 years. At the party we
heard messages of thanks from several graduates.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all host families, students,
supporting staff of the department and we hope this program is able to continue as long
as possible.
Pic2: Ayu from Indonesia, Mrs. Ikeda, Mrs. Yamada and Chen from China at the party
Pic3: Panjia and Shuai, Xie from China and Mr. Miyazaki (S43) at the party
2. Annual alumni reunion and Construction site visit (October 30th, 2015)
The annual alumni reunion was held on October 30th 2015 in Komaba campus. Prior to
the reunion, about 40 alumni visited the construction site of the south district of JR
Shinjuku station, which has experienced many difficulties in maintaining the smooth
operation of trains during construction. At the party, Prof. Ieda (alumnus in 1978), Prof.
Nakai (alumnus in 1991) and Prof. Morichi (alumnus in 1966) gave a short speech. More
than 230 attendants enjoyed not only talking together but also a short presentation on
the history of Komaba campus. Finally, Mr. Daisuke Tokuda, the leader of alumni in
2015 and Mr. Shunichi Kosuge (alumni in 1977), the next vice president of alumni
association were welcomed by all attendants.
We’d like to say a big thanks to staff of Obayashi Corporation and Central Japan
Railway Company and new graduates for successfully arranging this big event.
By Mr. Toshinobu Kawakami (alumnus in 1997), Mr. Kenichi Hisasue (alumnus in
2003), Obayashi Corporation
Pic4: At the JR Shinjuku station, near to the South gate
Pic5: Greetings by the president, Ieda
3. UTokyo Alumni gathering for a seminar and party in Bankok (December 11th,
2015)
The University of Tokyo (U-Tokyo) alumni party was jointly organized by three Thai
alumni groups, including the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) on December 11th,
2015. This was the fifth joint alumni party since the first meeting, held in October 2011.
A total of 50 alumni from the 1960s to 2000s were able to reunite at the party along
with their families. Attendees included not only Thai alumni working in various fields
such as government, universities, and companies, but also Japanese alumni working in
Thailand. There were 13 alumni from the Department of Civil Engineering. Prof.
Kimiro Meouro (ICUS), Dr. Preesan Rakwatin (GISTDA, Civil alumni) and Dr. Wataru
Takeuchi (IIS) delivered presentation about disaster management and lessons learned
in Japan, space application program in Thailand and drought monitoring in Greater
Mekong Sub-regions respectively prior to the party chaired by Dr. Akiyuki Kawasaki
(Civil department).
Pic6: Prof. Meguro, Assoc. Prof. Takeuchi, Project Assoc. Prof. Kawasaki joined from the
department of Civil Engineering.
We found one couple of alumnus, Chinese lady and Thai gentleman who studied at
department of law and urban planning respectively. They met each other during their
study in Tokyo, got married and came back to Thailand serving for the country. You can
find them at the left corner of the front line in a picture. It was so exciting love story
that we have ever had at the alumni party. This fantastic party did not give enough
time for all the participants to talk over the various stories of them. Prof. Tetsuro Ito
(ICUS) delivered a closing speech and wrap-up the exiting alumni party by Japanese
traditional way ‘Banzai’ appeal by all the participants.
Continuous gathering of these members show the expansion of Japanese businesses in
ASEAN countries and the need to enhance U-Tokyo’s alumni network in Asia and
beyond. The party had a noticeably friendly atmosphere and included greetings from
the representatives of each alumni group, as well as short self-introductions by all
alumni including their current status and memories of their time as a student at
U-Tokyo
(Assoc. Prof. Takeuchi)
We are looking forward to your feedback and suggestions!
The editorial team of
the Alumni Association of the Civil Engineering at the university of Tokyo
Chief editor: Ayuko AKAIKE (1995 alumna)
Associate editor: Kiichiro HATOYAMA (2001 master)
Editors: Aya ABE (2001 alumna), Akiko SUZUKI (2009 alumna)
Hiroki IKEZAWA (2015 alumnus), Keiji HADANO (2015 alumnus)
Hideki YAGINUMA (Special member)
Adviser: Manabu ITO (1953 Alumnus)
Proofreader: Alexander GILMORE
(Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering)