 |
Chancellor
Shonan Institute of Technology
Dr. Eitaro Itoyama |
Go Global at Shonan's World Campus
Never has there been a time for business to go global than now.
There isn’t a day that passes without news of a company somewhere
in the world planning a strategic alliance with another company
located in some other part of the world. Many times these cross-border
alliances can reshape an entire industry setting new global standards
and making it difficult for native regional companies to be competitive
even within their own borders. Our university is no different.
We must also meet this global standard so that our students will
remain competitive in the world.
It goes without saying that the intellectual resources that
universities have are attractive to other universities and businesses
around the world. Just as industry makes alliances across borders,
universities, in concert with private industry, should also collaborate
with one another. In this way, universities will be better equipped
to create and develop those new technologies to fuel future industry,
and, at the same time, better prepare their own students to compete
in the global market. Thus, it makes sense to create a global
network among universities and business to promote education and
research-in short, create a “world campus.” This is the path that
Shonan Institute of Technology (SIT) has chosen for its students.
Students also need to seriously consider the nature of a career
in technology. The global arena is dynamic and interconnected
on many levels, especially in the field of technology. Advancement
in Information Technology (IT) and Bio-Technology (BT), to just
name a few, have made dramatic changes in our lives. From computers
to medicine, it is hard to imagine our lives without these seemingly
simple wonders of technology. In addition, numerous new industries
and businesses have been created all around the globe. There have
been many benefits as a result, but yet the same technology that
has rewarded us has also allowed for these tech-related jobs to
be suddenly moved to a far-off location on the other side of the
planet. In addition, a new technology can just as suddenly make
a thriving industry obsolete. Students need to be prepared for
this ever-changing global market of technology, and SIT’s World
Campus has been created specifically to help students prepare
for this unique workplace.
The world is also faced with numerous problems. Amazingly, the
worst of these problems have solutions directly connected with
technology. For example, Energy Technology (ET) has become more
important than ever. With oil prices rocketing to nearly ninety
dollars a barrel and possibly higher, it seems that we are headed
for very difficult times to say the least. The insecurity caused
by outrageous oil prices has cast a shadow over practically every
aspect of the world’s economy and, as a result, affecting the
lives of everyone on the planet. The distinction between the “Haves”
and the “Have Nots”continues to grow even larger. In additional,
there is global warming to contend with and let’s not forget all
the pollution and health hazards caused by using oil as our main
energy source. Humankind is faced with some troubling times ahead,
and we desperately need to find alternative energy sources that
are safe, affordable and environmentally friendly. ET has come
up with wind-generators, solar cells, and fuel cells as some alternative
sources of energy. Technology has made great strides in this area,
and we are moving in the right direction, but there are definitely
many more hurdles to overcome. However, we can see that the answers
to our problems are there in technology, and SIT is committed
to finding those answers.
SIT’s World Campus is in cooperation with Pennsylvania University
(US), University of Kaiserslautern (Germany), The University of
Sydney (Australia), Seoul National University (Korea), and Shanghai
Jiao Tong University
(China). Within this World Campus, students and staff have the
opportunity to network with other students and staff from around
the planet. Education and research are closely linked to the culture
and living traditions of each country. When you get people from
different cultures together, you get fresh, unique approaches
to solving problems. This is a better approach, a more efficient
approach, to solving problems. Global education and research in
cooperation with an international internship at a high-tech company
is a perfect recipe to prepare students for the global market.
This is what the World Campus is all about. Come be a part of
the World Campus at Shonan. Go global and be a part of the solution.
Thank you.
Eitaro Itoyama
Chancellor
Shonan Institute of Technology
