CROSS LABORATORY 

Lab mission statement 

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Transdisciplinary education is a powerful means to change the world by creating new knowledge thru research and apply it in order to improve people's lives and the environment. Prof. Cross created the lab in 2016 in order to conduct research, mentor students and pass on his knowledge based upon his 25 years of industry R&D/academia work experience in Japan while also conducting research to improve university education. International students will learn how to work in a Japan based lab as if they are working for a Japanese Professor. Below is the Cross-lab mission statement.

 

The lab operates using the lab-based education model* and follows Japanese business-related best practices to educate global engineers that can work in English throughout the world. Furthermore, the lab develops degree-seeking students’ research abilities, skills and knowledge by providing a structured framework where they

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• define, manage and conduct a research project independently,

• write a research proposal in order to plan thesis/dissertation research

• write a research proposal in order to apply for research funding (doctoral students),

• learn by conducting research through experimentation, reflection (experiential learning) and planning,

• write and publish research papers in peer-reviewed journals,

• make technical oral presentations on campus and at domestic and international conferences,

• communicate technical information on research effectively (in English) in weekly lab seminars

• develop critical thinking skills,

• analyze published research articles and explain it in lab seminars,

• write and orally defend a thesis/dissertation,

• learn from and teach other students in the lab,

• participate in teamwork building activities and develop leadership abilities,

• socialize and communicate with peers, academic staff and Prof. Cross 

• conduct research collaborations with industry and governmental organizations

 

The lab also serves as a co-creative space where students have the opportunity to communicate with leaders working in industry and government as well as participate in international research exchanges and meet international exchange students. In particular, Japanese students can learn what it is like to conduct international research in the laboratory while living in Tokyo and become a global engineer. 

 

References

1. *Lab based education, JICA, https://www.jica.go.jp/english/publications/brochures/c8h0vm0000avs7w2-att/japan_brand_06.pdf

2. Life in the Lab at Tokyo Tech, https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/graduate_school/international/life.html