(Dean's log) Lecture series for Junior and Senior High Schools: Eimeikan Junior-Senior High School

On 24 January 2025, approximately 550 students, including third-year junior high and first and second-year senior high school students, gathered at the venue. Right from the start, many students were nodding as they listened to Dean Kato's stories from his school days, and they seemed to feel a sense of closeness to him.

In his introduction to research at the Faculty of Engineering, by sharing concrete examples from his research, Dean Kato explained how engineering has the power to change society and the world. Comments were received from students including: “My perception of the Faculty of Engineering has completely changed. Knowing that it leads to jobs that help people and to actions that make the world a better place for everyone, I am now eager to enroll at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo”, “For someone like me who had a vague goal of going to the University of Tokyo, I got a sense of awe and excitement, like a slap on the cheek. His story woke me up, and I will do my best to go to the University of Tokyo”, “The lecture was clear, emphasizing that the boundaries between fields such as medicine and law have disappeared, and how all disciplines are interconnected and collectively drive society forward”. All in all, Dean Kato inspired the students by sharing many new findings with them.

After the lecture, many students gathered and actively participated in the Q&A session. They felt even more inspired after exchanging views and comments with Dean Kato. It was a fruitful day that filled them with hope for pioneering their future.

Midori Aoki (Metaverse School of Engineering)