Central Saint Martins delegation visits Tokyo Tech

Published: June 6, 2016

Head of College Jeremy Till and Deans of Academic Programmes Anne Smith and Mark Dunhill at Central Saint Martins (CSM), University of the Arts London met with President Yoshinao Mishima and Executive Vice President Toshio Maruyama on April 18. Professor Kayoko Nohara of the School of Environment and Society and Lecturer Ryo Terui of the Cross Border Entrepreneur Cultivation Program at Tokyo Tech also attended the meeting.

(from left) EVP Maruyama, Prof. Nohara, Pres. Mishima, Dean Smith, Head of CSM Till,
Dean Dunhill, Mr. Terui, Intl. Affairs Dept. Director Kato, Intl. Cooperation Div. Head Aoki

After welcoming the delegation, Mishima shared a brief overview of Tokyo Tech. He highlighted the recently launched education reforms and described international initiatives implemented under the Top Global University Project funded by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). In turn, Till introduced the history and features of Central Saint Martins and explained his delegation's interest in exploring cooperation with Tokyo Tech.

CSM, founded in 1854, is one of six constituent colleges of University of the Arts London and is known for its unique courses and famous alumni. With more than half of its student body hailing from around the world, the college enjoys a place at the center of the world's art scene.

Till described collaborations in which CSM students are working with scientists at the University of Cambridge and University College London to develop new materials and structures from a design perspective. He explained that working with people in the fields of science and technology provides artists, who may at times be inwardly focused, opportunities to think in new ways. CSM is interested in further strengthening this type of activity. Mishima commented that Tokyo Tech is also encouraging its faculty and students to engage in interdisciplinary research.

At the meeting

After the discussion, the CSM delegation met with faculty members in materials science and other fields to explore possibilities for future collaboration. They concluded their day on the Ookayama Campus with a visit to the Tokyo Tech Design Factory.