Department of Life Science and Systems Engineering
Biological Functions Engineering
Ikeno Laboratory
Ahmed Mustafa Kamel Saber
Q1：Why Kyutech?
In September 2022, I came to Kyutech on the Sakura Science project invited by Professor Ikeno and a graduated PhD student from his lab Dr. Khaled Metwaly. During this period, I found a lot of research that is being done in Kyutech and the friendly research environment that helps excel your abilities. By the end of the program, I decided that I would like to do my Master's Degree here in Kyutech.
Q2：About Research
Environmental stress represents a big challenge for human on Earth, the lack of natural resources due to increasing the population are demanding that researchers and decision-makers provide food security and clean water to the next generations. Functional peptides when applied to plants can do various biological functions based on their sequence and one of those functions is combating abiotic stress. Nanoparticles have been used extensively in the delivery of biological macromolecules inside biological systems. My Research is focused on loading short functional peptides that are considered to have a function in combating abiotic stress in plants on different nanoparticles and testing their activity on plant biological systems.
Q3：Best point of Kyutech
There are a lot of good points in Kyutech but if I had to choose one, I would choose the people. The professors, staff, and students in Kyutech are very kind and decent and always meet you with their smiles and answer your inquiries.
Q4：My recommended place from Kyutech
I enjoy staying and working in the lab and my office, the view of the green sights from the window of the lab is fabulous, but if I have to say a place outside the lab and the office is the worship and Masjid room on the 7th floor. I am glad to Kyutech for supporting different religions and for assigning a prayer room for Muslims.
Q5：What surprised me most in Japan
When I first came to Japan, I was fascinated by the robots that are almost everywhere I found them in the airports and different restaurants. I do not know if you know that or not but back in my country Egypt or Arabic culture, we consider Japan as a different planet that is coming from the future that’s due to the numerous technological advancements that Japan has and you could not find it anywhere else on the planet. Also, I liked the nature of Japan and the green sightseeing but I think that every country has a nature of its own that is beautiful and different from what you have seen in your life before. What I see distinct about Japan is that once you land in Japan, you will realize that you have arrived in a country from the future, a different planet.
Q6：What kind of life
I am the kind of a person that does not like free time, so, I try to fulfill it with activities that I enjoy and also give me a return, so, I do like reading, playing chess, playing sports, and working out at the gym. When I first arrived here, my lab members were very friendly and helped me to find a good gym to exercise at. Also, I like watching football games, movies, series, and anime recently. So, outside working in the lab, I do a lot of activities either with friends who share the same interests or alone and that helps me to fulfill my spare time with good activities and also enjoy doing them.
Q7：My future dream
My future dream is to have the ability to apply the science from experiments in the lab into applications for society as I believe that the biotechnology market has a lot of investments to come since there is a high demand for food security and pharmaceutical industries and that is where science can come to solve problems.
Department of Life Science and Systems Engineering
Human Intelligence Systems
Inoue Laboratory
Nazmun Nahid
Q1：Why Kyutech?
In 2020, I visited Japan for the Sakura Science Program at Osaka Prefecture University. I then fell in love with the Japanese way of life and decided to further my education in Japan. I researched the programs of many Japanese institutions and spoke with several professors. I knew this was the lab I wanted to join for my graduate studies after my interview with Sozo Inoue Sensei. In addition, I spoke with my seniors, who were students at Kyutech at the time, and the environment felt appropriate for me because the study here is more research-oriented.
Q2：About Research
I enrolled at Kyutech as a master's student, and currently, I am in the 2nd year of my Ph.D. under Professor Sozo Inoue. My main research focus is Human Robot Collaboration and Interaction for Well-being. For my master's, I worked on the Yaskawa Robotics project, but in my Ph.D., I switched my focus to the nursing care facility. Our project is funded by JST. I am overjoyed to have had the opportunity to work on such fascinating projects.
Q3：Best point of Kyutech
My favorite aspect of Kyutech is its student-friendly policies. The staff here is quite cooperative. We also have a lot of financial and other kinds of help. It is difficult for us international students to support everything with our limited funds, but Kyutech is always willing to lend a helping hand in those situations. Kyutech also assists us in integrating into life here by alerting us about various activities and gatherings.
Q4：My recommended place from Kyutech
Kyutech has three campuses; however, I have yet to visit the Iizuka location. My favorite spot on the Wakamatsu campus is my lab table. My table has one of the nicest views, specifically the sunset and night view. In addition, I admire the side path near the parking lot. The sunset and autumn views are the greatest. In Tobata, I like the entrance gate since different Kyutech histories are inscribed around it.
Q5：What surprised me most in Japan
The time management in Japan surprised me the most. The services here are extremely well-organized. I have visited multiple countries in Europe and Asia, but I have never seen such punctuality and organization anywhere else.
Q6：What kind of life
The people here are quite friendly. Now I say I have two families, one at home and one here. Kitakyushu has a very serene and pleasant way of life.
Q7：My future dream
If possible, I would prefer to work in academics. I am not sure if I'll be able to acquire a job here because my Japanese language proficiency is lacking. Even if I am unable to obtain a position here, I would like to collaborate with Japanese researchers and Kyutech.