S-TISA hosts Science Tokyo’s first Autumn Welcome Party
The Science Tokyo International Students' Association (S-TISA) successfully held the 2024 Autumn Welcome Party at Hisao & Hiroko Taki Plaza (Taki Plaza) on November 19, the first welcome party under the newly established Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo).
With the collective effort of the S-TISA Council, event team volunteers, and invaluable assistance from the Student Support Division, S-TISA pulled off yet another memorable party, bringing everyone together for a night of fun and connection.
The party began with a short introduction of S-TISA, who shared their mission and encouraged everyone to join in future events. This was followed by a bingo game to instigate conversation.
As the icebreaking session wrapped up, the focus shifted to an angklung performance by the Indonesian Students’ Association. The traditional Indonesian instrument filled the room with beautiful melodies, offering many a chance to experience something new.
Several key figures also spoke at the event. Tokyo Tech* Alumni Association President Kiyoto Ido introduced the alumni group and encouraged students to join, while President and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Yujiro Tanaka welcomed everyone to Science Tokyo and spoke about embracing new opportunities and finding one’s place in this vibrant city. This struck a chord with many of the students. Afterward, everyone gathered for a group photo on the large stairs in Taki Plaza.
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) merged on October 1, 2024, to form Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo).
The second half of the evening took place at Tsubame Terrace, the newest cafeteria on Ookayama Campus. Dinner was relaxed, with plenty of food catering to various tastes and dietary needs such as halal, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Everyone enjoyed themselves and continued their conversations over a meal.
After dinner, Science Tokyo President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Naoto Ohtake addressed the gathering, sharing his past experiences as an international student. He spoke about the connections he made abroad and how they shaped his career and perspective. His encouragement for students to make the most of intercultural opportunities and support one another resonated with everyone in the room.
To end the night, prizes such as Science Tokyo merchandise were handed out to the bingo winners. A final group photo with Ohtake marked the official end of the event.
Throughout the party, several participants expressed how much they enjoyed meeting new people and learning about different cultures. The language exchange between Japanese and international students was a highlight, with many participants saying they appreciated the chance to learn about others and share more about their own backgrounds.
Comments from S-TISA Event team
Chief Coordinator Mikael Wijaya
3rd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
This was my third time working as chief coordinator for a welcome party, and once again I am grateful to everyone involved — participants, volunteers, council members, Science Tokyo staff, alumni association staff, and both presidents. Growing alongside the S-TISA community has definitely been one of the highlights of my university life, bringing me a lot of joy, happiness, and vibrancy. I am glad to have had so many chances to share this joy with everyone through the welcome parties. Cheers to S-TISA and Science Tokyo.
Chief Coordinator Ayoob Ilyas
3rd year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
I am very happy that we pulled off another fantastic party. I got to meet new students, hear new stories, and introduce myself to the new heads of Science Tokyo, President and CEO Ohtake, and President and CAO Tanaka. It was an overwhelming day preparing and setting up two venue spots, but we got it done, thanks to the hard work of the council members and event volunteers. There’s no time to rest, though — everyone has their work cut out for the next event. Up the S-TISA!
Internal Affairs Committee Senior Advisor Jiayi Yu Yu
1st-year doctoral student, Chemical Science and Engineering
This was the fifth welcome party organized by our council. Despite the challenges of limited preparation time and adapting to the new university structure, everything ran smoothly and calmly. I am very proud to see how far we have come. As one of the first council members, I have watched our team grow from an eager group of volunteers into experienced and responsible professionals. Each event strengthens our bond and commitment to creating meaningful experiences for the Institute’s international community. It was a joy to meet so many amazing students at this event. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
Related articles
Update history
- This article has been updated on February 14, 2025.
Contact
International Student Support Group, Student Support Division
Contact form