TAIST-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program 2015 launched

Published: October 28, 2015

The TAIST-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program 2015, a new program utilizing the TAIST-Tokyo Tech (TAIST) graduate program, was launched this year. As part of this exchange program, the first group from Tokyo Tech, comprised of three students, stayed in Thailand for two weeks from late September to early October.

Excellent environment and facilities

Main gate of Thailand Science Park

Conducted at Thailand Science Park (TSP) located 40 km north of central Bangkok, the program builds on the strengths of the TAIST program which was established by Tokyo Tech and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in collaboration with leading Thai universities.

TSP's broad 80 acres, surrounded by lush greenery, include the NSTDA central office building where the Tokyo Tech Thailand office is located, a convention center with lecture rooms for the TAIST program, leading research institutes, student accommodations, restaurants, banks, and a convenience store. Thus it provides visitors with comfort and convenience. Participating students stay at Sirindhorn Science Home, a student dormitory.

Sirindhorn Science Home

A personal program tailored in advance

Discussion with host researchers

As part of the preparation for their participation in the Automotive Engineering (AE) program, the Tokyo Tech students chose in advance a TAIST lecture to attend and made contact with host researchers at NSTDA. Then each student discussed his research plan with the NSTDA researchers by email one or two months prior to departure.

Support for students from the start

Warmly welcomed by TAIST students at Suvarnnabhumi Airport, the participating students were escorted to their accommodation in TSP. Thanks to the TAIST students' support in communicating with local people who do not speak English, the Tokyo Tech students seemed to acclimatize easily to local life.

Classmates in a TAIST lecture

Lectures and internships

During the program, the Tokyo Tech students attended a series of TAIST intensive lectures given by a Tokyo Tech professor, and also participated in internships at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC).

They shared time with classmates from Thailand and other countries and used English as the common language every day. Studying their major field in English also seemed to be a new and valuable experience for the Tokyo Tech students.

Tokyo Tech students attending the TAIST AE lectures

Study tour to the ancient city of Ayutthaya

Comments from participating students

The friendly host researcher made the atmosphere very relaxed throughout the internship.
For meals, I often went to a restaurant in U-SQUARE and a cafeteria in Thammasat University. I was so satisfied with the variety of the food and the affordable prices.
We had a great time thanks to the warm hospitality and support from my classmates, my host laboratory, my academic advisor, the staff at SHH, and the Tokyo Tech Thailand Office.

Tokyo Tech Thailand Office

U-SQUARE where classmates took us for dinner

Future programs

The TAIST-Tokyo Tech Student Exchange Program 2015 will be conducted not only in the AE program but also in the ICTES program. Keep an eye out for the latest information about this program.

Contact

TAIST Administration Office

Email : taist@jim.titech.ac.jp