Expanding connections via science
Student project: Campus life report

Science Tokyo was established in October 2024, as a new institute formed through the integration of two prestigious universities in Japan.Student Public Relations members from the two fields (Science and Engineering field, and Medicine and Dentistry field) that represent the universities whose union created Science Tokyo have exchanged visits to student-organized events held at Ookayama Campus and Yushima Campus. The following is a report on how they shared experiences, deepened their mutual understanding, and discussed the potential of Science Tokyo.
Yushima Campus (Medicine and Dentistry field)
Stuffed animal hospital & healthcare-related events
The stuffed animal hospital is a doctor role-play event for children, planned by the Child Care Club at Science Tokyo* (Science Tokyo CCC), where young attendees can pretend to be medical doctors examining their patients (stuffed animals). Other events include medical and healthcare-related educational programs that utilize AEDs and dental models.
*A student organization officially endorsed by the Institute.

Member
K.A.
3rd year doctoral degree program, Public Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences

S.A.
3rd year bachelor’s degree program, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (Child Care Club at Science Tokyo)

O.M.
1st year master’s degree program, School of Life Science and Technology, Department of Life Science and Technology

H.T.
3rd year bachelor’s degree program, School of Engineering, Department of Information and Communication

S.A. Science Tokyo CCC is a pediatric healthcare volunteer club activity started in March 2024, comprising around sixty members. Currently, all of the members are from Medicine and Dentistry field, but we will be happy to see participants from Science and Engineering field in the future.
H.T. Both fields can be categorized under the same umbrella term “Science field.” However, the field of Medicine and Dentistry is an entirely new realm to me, so I have experienced and enjoyed a different academic culture today.
K.A. What is your impression of Yushima Campus?
O.M. I was able to see a hospital and patients on this campus. It’s an ideal environment for learning.
H.T. I saw various people, other than students entering and leaving the campus, which was very refreshing.
O.M.
Medicine and dentistry students seem to have set fairly clear future goals when they enroll and maintain these aspirations until they graduate. Is it true?
K.A. Interestingly, student attributes may differ uniquely according to the year they enroll. For example, I recall that in my freshman year, there were fewer new students who had a strong desire to become medical doctors.
S.A. It’s almost the same for my freshman year classmates. Not all of my peer students are would-be medical doctors. My goal to become one has been consistent since I enrolled, but some are considering other careers, such as entrepreneurship or as a businessperson in the commercial sector.
K.A.
I chose Tokyo Medical and Dental University (Science Tokyo) because I was interested in studying abroad. The Institute focuses on the development of researchers and provides regular hands-on learning at specific labs, as well as opportunities for studying abroad.
What was the reason why you, science and engineering students, chose your current path?
H.T. In science and engineering, we are recommended to choose our special field or department in the second year. I applied for the School of Engineering at the time of the admission exam because it offered more options (five) than other schools did.
O.M. I was a student at the affiliated high school of the former Tokyo Institute of Technology and had decided on my field and department in my first year there. I wanted to continue doing the same research at the Institute and enrolled in the current School of Life Science and Technology.
S.A. Are you enthusiastic about how you can develop your research into a practice that combines the disciplines of medicine and engineering?
O.M. Yes, I am. My research involves creating antibiotics using microbes, and I have discovered new antibiotics. However, the research remains at the basic research stage. I hope collaboration with the Department of Medicine and Dentistry can bridge the gap between basic and applied research.
H.T. I’m engaged in manufacturing at a research lab in the Department of Information and Communications Engineering. I’m excited about an environment like Yushima Campus, which can provide a diverse base of people’s opinions and expand the scope of my research.
S.A. It’s very thrilling to consider how various fields give rise to so many possibilities, isn’t it?
O.M. I’m sure constant exchanges between the two departments can mutually enhance our research prowess.
Ookayama Campus (Science and Engineering field)
Student Association for Global Exchange (SAGE)
SAGE is an official cercle enhancing exchanges between Japanese and non-Japanese student groups and spreading awareness of the attractiveness of Science Tokyo through interactive activities. Taki Plaza offers venues for various exchange events by attracting many students.

Member
K.A.
3rd year doctoral degree program, Public Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences

S.S.
2nd year bachelor’s degree program, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

W.R.
3rd year bachelor’s degree program, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

O.M.
1st year master’s degree program, School of Life Science and Technology, Department of Life Science and Technology

H.Y.
4th year bachelor’s degree program, School of Environment and Society, Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering (SAGE member)

I.A.G
4th year bachelor’s degree program, School of Environment and Society, Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering (SAGE member/international student)

O.M. Taki Plaza consists of two underground and two aboveground levels, and is located near the main gate. It also features an open floor plan, allowing students to gather together in large groups. What do you think?
W.R. It’s good that this campus has many spaces where students can freely mingle and gather. That is one of the great features that our Yushima Campus can learn from.
O.M. Taki Plaza often serves as a venue for events and activities hosted by various groups.
H.Y. SAGE hosts a variety of events both on and off campus, such as a takoyaki party and a Tokyo tour, and make opportunities to communicate with international students. Does the Medicine and Dentistry field have an international exchange clu b activity?
K.A. I think there is. We can even enhance exchanges by merging both club activities.
I.A.G. I’ve heard that some student club activities have already started integration.
S.S. They say that sports clubs have matches between the medical and engineering teams.
W.R. I’m a member of the flower-arrangement club and want to work with students from Science and Engineering field.
H.Y. That can create a good opportunity for non-Japanese students to learn about Japanese culture.
I.A.G. Yes, indeed. Recently, more students from abroad want to enjoy club activities no matter how long they are staying, and on top of that, Science and Engineering field doesn’t have a flower-arrangement club.
O.M. Putting aside club activities, what are the challenges you face in your medicine and dentistry study and research?
S.S. Attending experimentation-based sessions scheduled from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, five days a week, is the most challenging for me.
O.M. That may be something familiar to us, engineering students. I’m curious about your experiments. We could set up a joint presentation meeting.
K.A. That’s a good idea. Such exchanges will surely lead to collaborative research in the future.
O.M. What are your research themes, by the way?
K.A. These three students belong to the same lab, which specializes in social epidemiology. Specifically, our focus is on data analysis of how childhood experiences and environment can influence growth and development.
O.M. Data analysis also sounds familiar to us, who are from Science and Engineering field.
I.A.G. Yes, I see a proximity to transdisciplinary science and engineering, which I’m involved in.
K.A. Collaboration across various fields, including the field of dentistry, would be exciting.
S.S. Yes, we can make such interactions happen daily.
Other Four Campuses of Science Tokyo
Suzukakedai Campus
Located in Midori Ward, Yokohama City, the campus features research facilities, including the Laboratory for Future Interdisciplinary Research of Science and Technology. Students of the School of Life Science and Technology learn here.

Tamachi Campus
Located in the center of Minato Ward, Tokyo, and dedicated to students and learners of diverse age groups, the campus comprises the Tokyo Tech High School of Science and Technology (to be relocated to Ookayama Campus in April 2027) and the Adult Academy.

Surugadai Campus
Located in the vicinity of Yushima Campus across the Kanda River, it includes the Institute of Biomaterials and Engineering and the M&D Data Science Center, which serves as a daily learning center for many graduate students.

Konodai Campus
Located in Ichikawa City, Chiba, the campus features the Institute for Liberal Arts, which serves as the campus for all 1st-year students of Medicine and Dentistry field.
