On March 13, as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Japan–U.S. Exchange Program “KAKEHASHI Project (USA)” (Inoue Program), nine undergraduate and graduate students from Illinois Institute of Technology were welcomed to our university for a student exchange program.

 

From our university, seven students participated, primarily those supervised by Associate Professor Murozaki of the Department of Human Environmental Design, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, ranging from third-year undergraduate students to master’s and doctoral students. The participants engaged in research presentations and exchange activities mainly conducted in English.

 

Following a welcome at the main gate, a campus tour was held around the historic Memorial Hall, an Important Cultural Property. During the lunch session, students introduced their student life, research topics, and hobbies in English, fostering a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

 

In the afternoon program, our students gave presentations in English on their activities in the Tanise area of Totsukawa Village in Nara Prefecture, as well as on architectural design proposals for an auberge inspired by natural descriptions in the Manyoshu. Meanwhile, students from Illinois Institute of Technology presented architectural perspectives on the Grand Ring structure of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and introduced various national pavilions, including Japan’s, from the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in the 1890s. The program highlighted perspectives from both Japan and the United States.

 

During the Q&A session, lively discussions took place on differences in academic learning between the two universities and characteristics of regional architecture, deepening mutual understanding among the students.

 

Additionally, after attending an English lecture on the architecture of Todai-ji Temple delivered by Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Kyotani of the Department of Human Environmental Design, the participants visited Todai-ji on foot from the campus. Observing this World Heritage architectural site in person provided a valuable opportunity to learn directly about its design, structure, and historical background.

 

Through this exchange program, students from both universities were able to share their academic interests beyond national borders and broaden their international perspectives, making it a highly meaningful experience.