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Spring Visit to ISSP, University of Tokyo – Photonics Curriculum Reform 2025

To strengthen the academic and industry ties between NTU’s College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP) at the University of Tokyo, a student exchange memorandum was signed in 2018. Despite pandemic restrictions, alumni and faculty continued bilateral visits. From March 3 to 5, 2025, eight students—from doctoral candidates to undergraduates—accompanied by four NTU faculty members, traveled to University of Tokyo’s ISSP under the guidance of Professor Akiyama and his team. This 2.5-day program featured research presentations and lab tours, aiming to deepen students’ understanding of cutting-edge topics and explore opportunities for summer research internships and graduate studies.

Pre-Visit Preparation

Selected students studied 2–3 key journal articles on their chosen professors’ research areas—ranging from precision laser manufacturing and attosecond lasers to synchrotron radiation, two-dimensional materials, spintronics, THz spectroscopy, biophysics, low-temperature physics, and ultra-high magnetic field experiments—and discussed their insights with advisors during the winter break to ensure meaningful dialogue.

Faculty Lineup

The visit included sessions with twelve ISSP faculty: Professors Yohei Kobayashi (laser processing & AI), Jiro Itatani (attosecond lasers), Takashi Kimura (synchrotron imaging), Kozo Okazaki (photo‐emission spectroscopy), Taisuke Ozaki (first-principles computation), Toshiya Ideue (2D materials), Shinji Miwa (spintronics), Ryusuke Matsunaga (THz spectroscopy), Kumiko Hayashi (biophysics), Minoru Yamashita (low-temperature physics), Yoshimitsu Kohama (high magnetic field), and Masaki Oshikawa (theoretical physics).

Program Highlights

● Lectures & Presentations: Morning sessions featured half-hour talks by each professor on their latest research.
● Lab Tours: Afternoons were devoted to tours of seven research labs, the International High Magnetic Field Center, the Supercomputer Center, and the AI-Enabled Laser Fabrication Center.
● Networking: Informal dinners and meals with University of Tokyo graduate students and NTU alumni fostered cross-cultural exchange and camaraderie, capped by a welcome reception at the Kashiwa campus cafeteria amid a rare spring snowfall.

Reflections & Outcomes

Professor Akiyama’s full-time accompaniment underscored the importance of self-motivation and physical resilience. Drawing on alumni experiences, he encouraged students to pursue University of Tokyo’s summer training programs and doctoral admissions through language and GRE pathways. Participants gained not only academic insights but also an appreciation for cross-cultural collaboration, laying a solid foundation for future research endeavors.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Ms. Saito, Professor Akiyama’s assistant, and Ms. Chen from the Photonics Institute at NTU for their meticulous handling of administrative procedures and accommodations, ensuring a distinguished experience for all attendees.