25th Principal Yuichi Furuyama
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Twenty years have passed since national colleges of technology (technical colleges) across the country were integrated into the National Institute of Technology, an independent administrative institution, in 2004. Toba National Institute of Technology, one of these national technical colleges, is a higher education institution similar to universities and junior colleges, and aims to develop advanced engineers through integrated education from high school to the second year of university. This is a school that provides specialized education. Known as ``KOSEN'' in Japan and ``KOSEN'' overseas, its unique educational system, which is unprecedented in the world, is highly praised not only by Japanese industry but also by the international community.
Our school, Toba Commercial Marine Technical College, has a long history, and its founder, Makoto Kondo, one of the six great educators of the Meiji era (lower right photo, school collection), founded Shibashin Zeniza Ni in September 1875. It was founded as the Nautical Surveying Training School (later Shosen Kou) at the address (current Hamamatsu-cho, Minato-ku, Tokyo), and as a branch school, it was established in Toba-cho, Mie Prefecture on August 9, 14. It was founded as Toba Merchant Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. After subsequent changes, in June 1881, the school became the National College of Technology, Toba.
Next September, 2025, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National College of Technology.
Technical colleges were initially established to train mid-career engineers, but in response to the changing times and social demands, they offered a comprehensive 15-year regular course (5 years for merchant marine courses) that accepted 5.5-year-old junior high school graduates. First of all, students can choose from a wide variety of career paths, including not only finding employment in industry, but also transferring to a national university in their third year, pursuing a major at a technical college, and even entering graduate school at another university. and can receive higher education if they wish. We strive to develop highly skilled engineers who are practical, creative, and equipped with scientific thinking that can be used both locally and globally. The remarkable success of technical college graduates, who are supporting Japan's technological creation as a nation, is evidenced by early specialized education based on integrated education starting at the age of 15.
Department of Merchant Marine and Maritime System Studies
Our school has a Merchant Marine Department (5.5 years, awarding the title of associate degree) and a major in Maritime Systems (2 years, awarding the bachelor's degree (mercantile marine) degree). It has a mission of training. Surrounded by the ocean, Japan has the world's 8th largest exclusive economic zone, and imports most of its resources from overseas via sea transport, and uses production technology and system construction to create high value-added products. We have developed our economy by exporting. Recently, due to technology transfer, many production bases have moved overseas, and we are now in an era where the amount of imported products exceeds the amount of exported products, but even now more than 99% (by weight) of Japan's traded goods are It is transported by ship. Domestic shipping also plays an important role in cargo transportation. The National College of Marine Engineers has an important mission in developing maritime engineers who have acquired the latest advanced technology to support Japan's logistics, maritime specialists with maritime engineer qualifications, and human resources who can play an active role globally to support our nation's maritime nation. I am. In particular, the shipping industry is undergoing major changes due to environmental issues such as switching to alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and rapid technological innovations such as business expansion into autonomous ships and offshore wind power generation. The stage in which they are active and the skills required are not limited to those on board ships, but there are great expectations for the development of cutting-edge technology and the management skills that make use of comprehensive skills related to maritime transportation.
Department of Information Mechanical Systems Engineering and Department of Production Systems Engineering
In 31, the department was reorganized as the Department of Information Mechanical and Systems Engineering (2019 years, conferring the title of associate degree), and is working to develop advanced engineers in the field of information engineering, which is rapidly changing and evolving. In addition, the Department of Production Systems Engineering (5 years, possible to obtain a bachelor's degree in engineering) includes students who have graduated from the regular courses of our school or other technical colleges. After the reorganization, students first learn the basics of engineering, including programming, and systematically learn about information, electrical and electronics, and machinery, which are the foundations of this field.In the upper grades, students learn about their own individuality and characteristics. We also offer a custom-made curriculum that determines your specialization and orientation.
From the first year onwards, students have been part of a PBL (Project Based Learning) team that solves regional issues, and aim to go beyond desk-based learning to become practical engineers who understand local industry and culture and can propose engineering solutions. Masu. We have also introduced community-style education that integrates with the local community and society. It is possible to graduate from the regular course and get a job with an associate's degree, transfer to a third-year university, or advance to a major and study for an additional two years to obtain a degree (engineering).
Now that economic globalization, the advancement of machinery, electrical/electronic, and information industry technology, and digital transformation (DX) are rapidly progressing, the future goal of the national education promotion basic plan is to create a smart society. In order to respond to innovation towards the realization of "contribution" and "promotion of internationalization" are requested. The Department of Information, Mechanical and Systems Engineering responds to these demands based on education that connects software and hardware.
Our school has set three educational goals that all students should keep in mind, and we are nurturing advanced practical engineers who are full of humanity, rich in creativity and internationally accepted.
One, to become an educated person with a rich sense of humanity
Second, to become a creative engineer
XNUMX.Become an internationally-minded member of society
At our school, just like at university, we have graduation research. Advanced engineers who have a foundation of science and engineering knowledge need to acquire scientific thinking from the time they enter the university. In your graduation research, you will tackle things that no one has ever known or tried before. In other words, try something that no one knows what the outcome will be. When exploring unknown fields, there is a common approach no matter what the subject is. By learning this, they will know how to approach unknown things when they go out into society, and will have the ability to respond.
Our school has a ``Learn hard and play hard'' policy. We encourage students to actively learn and enjoy their youth with their seniors, juniors, and fellow classmates. In addition to various activities with friends such as robot contests (commonly known as Robocon), programming contests (Procon), and deep learning contests (DCON), physical education clubs to train the mind and body, cultural clubs and club activities, etc. We encourage students to actively participate in extracurricular activities.
Regarding studies and student life after enrollment, the homeroom teacher and each administrator's office work together with the administrative department, in close cooperation with the school and the parents who support the school. The number of female students exceeds 660 out of a total of approximately 118 students, creating an environment in which diverse students with different personalities learn new values and discoveries from each other by working together through study, experiments, and practical training. is in place.
At Akatsuki Dormitory, a student dormitory that is positioned as a place of education, students experience a place of communal living that is different from classrooms and club activities. We are creating an environment where students can lead a ``disciplined, fulfilling, and enjoyable student life'' where group and individual behavior are in harmony. International students from other countries also attend the school. All of our faculty and staff strive to create a bright and vibrant campus, and we are committed to drawing out, developing, and enhancing the abilities of each individual student.
The school's entrance ceremony speech, which is based on the philosophy of enterprising, polite, and simple and strong, teaches students to be considerate of others and to move forward with aspirations. And above all, I want them to be kind people.
April 30, 2020 Yuichi Furuyama, Principal of Toba National College of Technology