A Report of Joint Supervision Program at Tsukuba University (July 2014-January 2015)

Konnichiwa minna-san! We are postgraduate student from MEMO-BIO ikohza, MJIIT UTM International Campus, Kuala Lumpur under Associate Professor Dr. Hirofumi Hara’s supervision Ezzah Atikah, Atiqqoh, NorFarhana and Nurul Syahirah we came to the Land of the Rising Sun. We really glad because by given a 6 months chance of joint supervision in Tsukuba University I get to work with a renowned professor and entered one of the best universities in Tokyo. Here, we carry out our experiment in Utsumi sensei’s laboratory (Laboratory of Aquatic Science) which is located at Laboratory of Advanced Research A Building, Tsukuba University. The laboratory is more related to the environment where some of the students focusing on microorganisms experimental researches which can treat environment while the rest of them focusing more on water quality.
We learnt a lot from Utsumi-sensei and his students. At the moment we arrived at University of Tsukuba, we have been introduced to “Senpai-Kohai” or senior-junior system. While we are the juniors of Utsumi Sensei’s Lab, but our lab mates are the seniors. They already distributed a task among them to teach us the basic techniques that we must practices in the laboratory. The lab members teach us about the lab safety and precaution, lab cleaning and rules. They’re really helpful and kind-hearted. Sometimes all of us spent our time going out and eat together. It’s really fun! We strongly admire the approach to reduce the use of electricity and water by the University of Tsukuba. On October 25th and 26th 2014, university announced the ‘Day without Electricity and Water’. This was to achieve their target of saving electricity. On 19 November 2014, an emergency preparedness drill was conducted by the University of Tsukuba. It was held on the assumption that earthquake intensity 6 lower happened during daytime on a weekday. The objectives were to familiarize individuals with emergency procedure, strengthen cooperation system among organizations concerned and raise public awareness of disaster prevention. All of the student and staff were gathered at the designated evacuation sites and asked to report their safety status to the university.
Other than lab works and research we also learnt their cultures and enjoy the Japan scenery during summer, autumn and winter. We have a lot of fun in Japan manage to visit some famous places such as Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara and DisneySea around Tokyo. During autumn me get some holiday from Utsumi-sensei to visit Kyoto and Osaka. Therefore we try our best to fulfil 4days to visit most of the famous places such as Arashiyama, Kinkaku-Ji, Fushimi Inari, Ginza and Gion around Kyotoand Dotonburi, Namba, Osaka castle and USJ around Osaka. During winter season we make a lab trip to Hunter Mountain to playing ski and snowboarding. We also went to Gotemba Outlet for its speciality of Mount Fuji view. We experienced so much fun during our staying at Japan for 6 months. We met a lot of wonderful people with breathtaking views of Japan. It’s a life time opportunity and unforgettable memories. We will remember it always. Mata aisho Nihon!!!