From graduate to high school student / technical college student / university student

Naoya ANDO; received doctorate in 2011

I'm ANDO. I am currently enrolled in the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Engineering and affiliated with the Environmental Risk Engineering Laboratory. The research scope of this laboratory concerns water supply, which is intimately related to people's lives. Here I would like to introduce what I learned from research life in this laboratory.

What I learned at this laboratory is the mindset to take on problems where the correct answer is unknown. In university life, I think this mindset can only be learned in a laboratory. Those of you who do not yet belong to a laboratory will perhaps find it difficult to imagine a problem where the correct answer is unknown. However, the aim of almost all research is in fact to clarify something that was previously unknown.

I learned the importance of continuous experimentation in advancing research. I realized that perseverance is fundamental to everything. In addition, I encountered numerous problems for which I had no prior experience when carrying out experiments. Each and every time, I worked on the solution to a difficult problem without giving up.

I also learned the importance of collecting information on a daily basis and thinking from different angles. I learned that to flexibly switch your way of thinking, you need to objectively observe yourself on the basis of a wealth of information.

Furthermore, I feel that my presentation skills improved as a result of the regular reports made at the weekly seminar.

I believe that these experiences will become valuable assets for me later in life. Lastly, the connections among fellow students with whom I shared the joys and sorrows at this laboratory are strong and transcend the barriers of academic class. I believe that these bonds will persist even after I leave the laboratory. I feel that being a part of such a group will also become a major asset.