Shin-ya Nishimura

Roles and effects of human network of supporting experts out of Niigata University to practical engineering education

The educational supporting human network outside the university we call as “The Network of 100 Wise Men” has been constructed by Faculty of Engineering of Niigata University on the process of educational reform activities. We have operated various kinds of practical engineering programs which have been assisted by the engineers of companies and societies. The network members possess the actual experiences of engineering through the processes of their practical R&D activities. And the guidance, lectures, and advice by the network members have made a lot of beneficial contributions to the engineering education for the university students as well as to the faculties of Niigata University. The network is composed of various generations and industrial areas, which is not only based on the alumni organization but on the personal reliance between the faculties and engineers/scientists through their continueing research collaborations. We are convinced that it must be much advantageous for the university students to obtain the practical engineering skills and their ways of thinking by means of the cooperation of the network members.