K-State engineers in Japan

By Grant Guggisberg

What better way to experience the innovation and culture of another country than by visiting that country?

That was the idea behind a faculty-led trip to Japan for 17 students enrolled in a topical general engineering course on design perspectives and sustainability as part of the Global Engineers program within the college. The group toured across Japan for 15 days in May, visiting 12 different cities, taking 10 private tours and meeting with a variety of universities and companies as part of the experience.

“All 17 students reported a significant broadening of their global perspective as a result of this trip,” said Ayumi Amama, instructor and program coordinator for Global Engineers. “This experience provided them with a deeper and holistic understanding of global issues and fostered a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion.”

The Global Engineers program was launched with the desire to build a global and holistic perspective within the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering that is more curious, inclusive and respectful of diverse perspectives and lived experiences, while providing students the tools to be interculturally competent professionals when they leave K-State.

In that sense, a trip like this one checked all the boxes for what Global Engineers is trying to accomplish, while also delivering a meaningful and memorable experience for the students involved.

The class itself focused on sustainability as a theme, with students reporting a shift in their mindset when it comes to the topic and its feasibility, especially in the United States.

“Many students expressed a growing understanding of sustainability, recognizing that it cannot be addressed solely through new inventions,” Amama said. “Instead, it requires collective action and collaboration across various disciplines and industries, and a cultural shift within our society, where individuals actively share their voices, set positive examples and contribute to their communities.

“Students believe that sustainability is achievable now, especially in the United States, without waiting for further research.”

The group got to attend a pair of symposiums to brainstorm with Japanese students on the topic of sustainability at the University of Tokyo and Waseda University, while also visiting three of the tallest structures in Tokyo and learning about Japan’s earthquake-resistant building technology and sustainable design approaches. The tour of a cutting-edge electric vehicle cell factory in Osaka and a wide variety of cultural excursions made this trip truly memorable for all the students involved.