トピックス

「対話と発展のための世界文化多様性デー」 5月21日

 


 

東京大学工学部長・工学系研究科長の染谷隆夫です。海外からの外国人留学生の皆さんにメッセージをお伝えします。
5月21日は、「対話と発展のための世界文化多様性デー」です。この機会に、文化の多様性の価値をより深く理解し、対話を促進することの重要性を改めて皆さんと考えたいと思います。

工学部・工学系研究科では、世界の65の国と地域から1,300人以上の外国人留学生が学んでいます。感染症の影響が長期化する中、母国を離れて困難な状況で学び続けている皆さん、そして未だに東京大学のキャンパスに来ることができない外国人留学生の皆さんの忍耐と努力に感謝します。そして、学問への意欲を失わない皆さんの情熱に敬意を表します。

多くの外国人留学生が学んでいる工学部・工学系研究科では、外国人留学生の皆さんにとっての学びやすさ、特に情報へのアクセスしやすさを重視しています。感染症対策ガイドラインなど重要な情報をすべて日本語と英語で同時に掲載しています。また、独自に開発した接触確認スマホアプリMOCHAも英語版をリリースしました。さらに、感染症対策を学生の家族へ伝えるために開催した緊急説明会では、英語・中国語・韓国語の同時通訳も実施しました。

コロナ禍にあって、私たちは多様性と包摂性の重要性を改めて認識することとなりました。学びたいという欲求は、性別、国籍、地域、年齢、障害の有無などの属性に依るものではありません。私たちは、人間の多様性を尊重し、一人ひとりの個性を活かし、学びたい全ての人が力を出せる環境の実現に全力で取り組んで参ります。

 

本メッセージにいただいたコメント

「留学生や日本の学生、それから教職員の皆様からも投稿ください。」
https://forms.gle/PL7ExLjHkQVzAaba7

 

  • The UTokyo School of Engineering has been consistently supportive of the international student community during the current pandemic, from the systematic travel information dissemination and quarantine accommodation last year to the current regular updates on health measures, online education support, scholarship guidance, and employment opportunities based on my personal experience. Cultural diversity and dynamic inclusion are evident strengths of the School of Engineering as constantly demonstrated in various collaborative activities for international welfare. As we celebrate this significant day, I take comfort in the knowledge that UTokyo is a fostering and encouraging academic environment for collective student progress and development.(John Andrew Kane JOVELLANA, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Management, from Philippines)
 
  • I feel lucky to study as an international student in the Graduate School of Engineering. The School of Engineering provides us international students with well-designed Japanese language courses where I met so many friends from all over the world. It is a pity that we could not attend off-line courses or cultural activities now, but still I learnt a lot about not only Japanese culture but also culture of other countries in classes and online events. In this special period of COVID-19 I find communication more important than ever, and I really look forward to learning more in online cultural events or off-line activities if possible in the future.
    (MENG Xuanlang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems, from China)

  • As a Master student from The University of Tokyo, I can tell that the transition from presential to online classes was done smoothly, and that all the students were given premium access to online and information tools from the very start. Also, the professors offered resources for those students that found themselves trapped in their countries, and the online seminars and presentations were held considering these special circumstances, what made possible to keep learning. That is why I want to thank Mr. Takao Someya and the staff of the School of Engineering for all their effort in this difficult time. (Bertran Rabat, Roger, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, M2, from Spain)

  • I am Dheeraj Joshi from India, MEXT scholar - Masters student at Prof. Wataru Takeuchi Lab in Department of Civil Engineering, IIS, The University of Tokyo. My alma-mater Todai, is a key global player in bridging the gap between cultures which is necessary for peace, stability and development. During COVID-19 pandemic scenario, Todai has ensured continuity in academic life through innovative use of ICT technologies and contributing to humanity through researches in understanding risks in a global networked society for a resilient and sustainable future and spread the key message of research: “It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark”. (Dheeraj Joshi, Department of Civil Engineering, M2, from India)
 
  • As a foreign researcher working in the School of Engineering , I have been enjoying the culture diversity since the first day here. On this special day, I would like to thank the faculty of the School of Engineering for their great efforts made to maintain the academia continuity during the pandemic scenario. During these difficult days, we don't feel alone, and we will stay safe to learn and work as always.(Yan WANG, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Information Systems, Postdoctoral researcher, from China)

  • The School of Engineering, University of Tokyo has always been a global hub for International students not only for its quality of education and cutting edge research, but also for its cultural diversity and inclusion. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the school has taken all possible measures to tackle Covid-19 which includes adequate support to graduate students/postdocs to continue their research, job hunting opportunities and, most importantly, to ensure quality of life. The school is updating corona bulletin on a regular basis to notify all concerned individuals & conducting online classes, seminars, lab meetings. The “online registration system” to enter to school, reporting everyday key health conditions, unveiling apps for contact tracing are some of the good initiatives worth mentioning. On this special day "World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development”, I believe the cultural diversity will further be increased including the interaction between Japanese & International students/ faculties to keep pace with the exponential advancement of the world.(Nayeem Md Osman Goni, Electrical Engineering and Information Systems, D3, from Bangladesh)

  • The University of Tokyo has provided numerous supports for students, regardless of their identities. Since I came from Thailand to UTokyo in 2015, I felt that everyone has their own working style, ways of communication as well as unique skills. With diversity, we can also share happiness. I have been the MC of the Summer Party of Foreign Students in the Graduate School of Engineering. I have witnessed that we all, from all around the world, can have fun together. I strongly hope that the day that we can hold Summer Party to meet with students around the world.(Siwat Manomaisantiphap, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, D3, from Thailand)
 
  • With the advent of COVID-19 and the necessity of a shift towards the use of virtual platforms as a way of communication, we have now more opportunities for closing the distance between countries, for enhancing the cultural exchange, and therefore allowing the diversity to be included within our personal goals, research plans and life in the university. I hope the present situation we face may allows us to build bridges among communities and grow more empathy towards the other.(Jorge Alberto García Pérez, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, D2, from Colombia)

  • This is the staff members of OIS and OICE of International Affairs Group in Building No.8. We have many opportunities to be exposed to diverse culture and have been learning a lot through interactions with international students coming from various countries and studying at the School of Engineering. We feel sorry that we are not currently able to hold annual cultural events such as the big summer party, trip to Mt. Fuji, watching Sumo matches, etc., because of COVID-19. We are considering implementing new online events in the near future, so please look forward to them. All the staff will continue to do our best to support international students. (International Affairs Group, School of Engineering)