Faculty of Technology

It goes without saying that the aim of "engineering" is to study the scien ce and technology of manufacturing "material" entities. However, the range of any scientific research varies from age to age, and engineering is one of the fie lds of science that have undergone the greatest amount of change. In recent times , the "Faculty of Technology" in many universities has grown into the largest of their faculties. There seem to be two factors that account for this.

Firstly, since engineering is directly linked to the most basic of natural sciences, the range of manufacturing techniques is constantly expanded by incorporating the novel insights from these sciences. To take a fairly recent example, during the 1980's, it was demonstrated that utilizing a quantum-mechanical phenomenon called the "tunnel effect"made it possible to observe atomic-lever structures (the scanning electron microscope),which led to the awarding of the Nobel Prize for this field of research. Needless to say, this important scientific discovery came to be utilized for applicational purposes in various subfields of engineering. Secondly, we see some of the fields of research that formerly had hardly any contact with engineering coming to the fore as one of the major fields of research in faculties of technology at various universities. As a most fittin g example, we can cite the technology of having living organisms industrially manufacture valuable substances. A living organism is a complex and tender being, and it lacks sufficient stability, while, in contrast,machines, typical products of traditional engineering, have been made in such a way that they will be solid, lasting, as simply constructed as possible. We may say that, i n some respects, the biotechnological manufacturing of substances by genetic engineering has revolutionalized the concept of engineering. Developments lik e this make the "Faculty of "Technology" the most dynamically active and attractive section in present-day universities.

The "Faculty of Technology" also plays a major role as a set of education for fostering technical experts. Irrespectively of the rise and fall in the so-ca lled economic cycle, our society constantly has a big demand for technical experts.

This is firstly because, as a result of the progress of electronic technolog y in communications and computer researches, the range of activity both for individual citizens and corporate enterprises is ever expanding, which poses a constant demand for technical experts equipped with the latest ideas and methods of technology. Secondly, at manufaturing factories in Japan's industr y, various kinds of specialized industrial robots keep up the production. In suc h factories, the technology of mechatronics (the interdisciplinary field of me chanics and electronics combined by means of the computer) is in full play, thus makin g the presence of technical experts indispensable there. Thirdly, such proble ms as improving the earth's environment and developing a cleaner source of energy are getting more and more weighty, which poses a big demand for experts equipped with resource - and energy-saving, environment-friendly technology. Fourthly, pursuing environment-friendly technology leads to its being linked t o human-oriented sciences such as medical science and pharmaceutics, and this makes it acutely necessary to train more biotechnological experts that support and strengthen the link.

There are four divisions within the faculty of technology: Biotechnology a nd Life Science, Chemical Science and Technology, Mechanical Systems Engineering, Electronic and Information Engineering. All divisions offer a training program aimed at fostering technical experts.

Here at the Faculty of Technology, we are always looking ahead into the future and doing research of great interest. It is no wonder that we have received much recognition from experts in this field. We have pride and confidence in what we do.