Dialogue Across Generations Broadens Learning at MUDS—Faculty of Data Science Holds Its Second Alumni Networking Event
This article is a guest contribution by Einosuke Inui, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Data Science at Musashino University.
A Second Gathering Draws a Wider Circle
On June 13, the Faculty of Data Science (MUDS) held its second alumni networking event in the research space on the sixth floor of Building 5, Ariake Campus. Fifteen graduates and twenty-six current students took part, talking through research topics and future careers. Following the first event, students again handled everything from planning to running the day.
Advice Grounded in Professional Experience Moves Research Forward
In the main program, students presented their own research topics and the products they are developing, and received feedback from graduates. The perspective of alumni who know the working world gave students an opportunity to reconsider how they are pursuing their research and where their products are headed.
Career-Minded Conversations Cross Year Levels
Many third-year students attended this time, and alongside discussions of research and development, a great deal of the conversation turned to career paths. Fourth-year students who had finished their job searches also stepped into the role of adviser at points, sharing concrete accounts drawn from very recent experience. First-year students visited as observers, listening closely as upperclassmen described their research and graduates spoke about their work. Through exchanges that crossed year levels, participants came away with a clearer picture of their own research and of the futures they are working toward.
Comments from the Student Organizers
Masahide Sekiguchi (Faculty of Data Science, Department of Data Science, Year 3)
The joy of forging new ties between year levels
At the OB/OG research consultation session, talking with graduates gave me, I feel, new insight into research and development. I also found real value in the chance to meet, face to face, seniors and juniors working on research close to my own field. I would be glad if we can keep offering occasions like this.
Sakurako Hamakawa(Faculty of Data Science, Department of Data Science, Year 3)
Advice tailored to each student moves research forward
Through the OB/OG research consultation session, I came to appreciate how valuable it is to have a setting where graduates offer concrete advice suited to the particular difficulties and progress of each student's research. Beyond prompting us to reconsider the direction of our research, the session has a distinctive appeal in the connections it creates across year levels and generations. I hope to keep creating occasions where students can engage with their own research and gain fresh perspectives.
Connections That Keep Widening
The sight of first-year students listening to upperclassmen and graduates is characteristic of MUDS, where research begins in the first year. Students build the ability to define a problem and map out a route to a solution, and they also develop the ability to communicate their own work and find their next step through dialogue. We will continue to value the ideas and initiative of our students, sustaining occasions such as this one and fostering an environment in which the connections within MUDS keep widening.
