Jonas Aditya Pramudita

Please tell us about your current job (responsibilities, challenges, rewards, etc.).

I work as an assistant professor at the University of Niigata. In terms of education, I hold lectures in mechanics of materials and biomechanics, and I am in charge of student experiments. I also carry out research in these fields, carrying out experiments and numerical analyses with the students in our laboratory. I present my findings at academic conferences in Japan and abroad, and plan open campus tours for high school students visiting our university. My days are pretty busy, but seeing up close how students develop while carrying out research in a free environment is very satisfying.

How is the knowledge and experience gained at Tokyo Tech being utilized in your current position?

I kept all my lecture handouts and notes from my student days, and still reread them frequently. I am glad I kept these study materials clear and organized back then, as they are very helpful when I prepare lectures and carry out research in my current position. In graduate school, the several years of joint research with external institutions taught me how to communicate and proceed with joint projects effectively. I can now utilize that know-how when operating our lab. It is particularly important to find a balance between responding to research partner expectations and fulfilling students'educational needs. "Never work alone." I still remember these words from my Tokyo Tech academic supervisor, and try to collaborate with many people around me as I progress with my research.

What are your future goals?

In the four years that I have been a faculty member, I have on several occasions felt that I cannot express myself as clearly as I would like to during lectures. Therefore, in addition to further investigating my area of expertise, I want to polish my skills as a lecturer and mentor to students. At the moment, I am actively engaged in joint research with manufacturers to prevent and mitigate injuries caused by automobile and domestic accidents. We expect that the results of this research will contribute to the development of commercially available products in the future. If I can do my part in making society just a little bit safer, then I will feel my work is worthwhile.

Please write a message to students aiming for Tokyo Tech.

Tokyo Tech is a well-known university, not just domestically, but around the world. The environment is such that you inevitably learn a great deal and come into contact with cutting-edge research. I advise you to experience as much as you can in the short time that is your student life, and study hard with the help of your professors and senior classmates. Meet people, make friends, and value your Tokyo Tech connections even after you move into other walks of life.

The content of this article was accurate at the time of the interview.

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