修了生からのメッセージ

I am blessed with a rare opportunity to be at Hokkaido University from undergraduate to PhD program. I found about Faculty of Agriculture at Hokkaido University from a promotion video in the Japanese language school I attended. Hokkaido University has a strong Faculty of Agriculture, and Hokkaido is a major Japan agriculture region despite of the climate limitation, which sparked my interest in pursuing study here.

Student’s life was the whole journey of finding my future. Faculty of Agriculture offered research in field and lab, which were both very exciting for me. I became interested in plant genetics, and genetic diversity after the lectures by Prof. Keisuke Kitamura, which eventually led me to continue master’s and PhD in the lab of Plant Genetics and Evolution. Choosing career path after PhD was another challenge. I was interested in continuing research in academia, particularly in international institutions but was also curious about career in industry. I tried both. For academia, there were several seniors and professors whom I consulted with, and they really provided a lot of insights about career in academia. However, it was more difficult for industry career, since opportunity for PhD students was still rare. Fortunately, at that time Hokkaido University newly established International Human Resource Development Program (I-HoP) to support PhD students who wanted to pursue career in industry. Long story short, I chose career in academia. I was really grateful to everyone who supported me, since job hunting process for a PhD student could be very lonely.

Finding the right career path is not always easy, and sometimes we need to change our choice due to many circumstances. If I can suggest, it is good to think about it as early as possible. It is also good to know support systems provided by the University and utilize those systems. Although I-HoP focuses more on PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, master’s students can join some of their activities. Learning Japanese language is also a plus, whether you are going to work in Japan or not, because you may use that skill in future.

Embarking on my journey at Hokkaido University's Graduate School of Engineering was a transformative experience that has left an indelible mark on my professional life. After my graduation from IIT, Hyderabad(India), I enrolled as a Masters student under JICA Scholarship in the Department of Mechanical and Space Engineering, Hokudai due to my fascination for Japanese culture, advances in science and technology, punctuality and cleanliness. As a student, the university's commitment to fostering a global perspective and its state-of-the-art research facilities provided me with a robust foundation to tackle real-world engineering challenges for the benefit of the society. Moreover, the diversified student body instilled in me the ability to work and mix with researchers from different countries. Thus, Hokudai has helped me to acquire all the potentialities that Japan has in the work for a more better result.

Upon graduating from Hokudai in September 2021, I joined Suzuki Motor Corporation's Automobile Management Department in the Software Development Group. The problem-solving abilities and the technical expertise I acquired in the Laboratory of Mechanical and Functional Materials under Prof. Kosuke TAKAHASHI have been crucial in my current role, where I am responsible for developing innovative software solutions for the next generation of automobiles. Furthermore, I want to now contribute to the development of India, Japan and the world through my university and industry network.

To the aspiring students considering Hokkaido University, my advice is to embrace every opportunity for learning and growth including Japanese language. The university's supportive environment and the diverse community will equip you with the tools necessary for success. My time at Hokudai has been a cornerstone of my career, and I am confident that it can be the same for you.