The Institute and the Tokyo Tech Alumni Association jointly hosted Homecoming Day 2021 in a virtual environment on May 22. Plans to hold the annual event in hybrid format were altered and celebrations were moved online due to COVID-19 and Tokyo's extended state of emergency. Despite the new normal, however, various events including general meetings by academic alumni groups, performances by official student clubs, and a live-streamed 140th anniversary lecture offered a large number of participants entertainment, intellectual stimulation, and the chance to connect.
Tokyo Tech's Homecoming Day is an annual event that provides the Institute's alumni with an opportunity to reconnect with the broader Tokyo Tech community — fellow graduates, faculty members, and current students. It also offers members of the public the chance to gain a better understanding of Tokyo Tech's past, present, and future. Homecoming Day 2021 was the ninth time this celebration was held and, despite the virtual environment, many domestic and overseas participants joined in the fun.
Online gatherings by various alumni groups
Journey around Ookayama area with alumni group Hakuseikai, graduates from former Mechanical and Systems Control Engineering Department
Alumni from various academic groups gathered throughout the day for online general meetings and talks involving distinguished speakers. Student club alumni groups also met for virtual exchange events. At the Institute for Liberal Arts lecture session, President Kazuya Masu dropped in to offer a brief greeting to the participants.
Virtual liberal arts discussion
Online performances by current and former student club members
Participants were also entertained by various official student clubs and alumni groups. The Schwalben Chor Alumni Group, A Capella Club, jazz band Los Guaracheros, and other musical talents provided virtual concerts on demand. Members of juggling club Jug Tech put on performances, as did Tokyo Tech's Aikido Club practitioners. Students from Tokyo Tech's Digital Creators Club traP hosted an online discussion session while members of the Society for the Study of Robotics put on a virtual exhibition of their creations.
Performance by Tokyo Tech's Aikido Club
Online performance by student club Jug Tech
Virtual tour of campus facilities, 360-degree shots of library
At Tokyo Tech's Ookayama Campus library, student library supporters equipped with a 360-degree camera provided viewers with a virtual tour of "the cheesecake" and nearby facilities. They introduced to viewers the basement floor of Taki Plaza, which now includes a gate that connects directly to the library, and published their videos online.
Library tour with 360-degree camera
Live stream of 140th anniversary lecture
One of the highlights of Homecoming Day 2021 was the 140th anniversary lecture entitled "2021: Tokyo Tech's future scenarios and the start of a decade of action," which was live-streamed to online viewers from Tokyo Tech Front. In 2021, the Institute began an exciting new decade that culminates in Tokyo Tech's 150th anniversary in 2031. After encouraging initial remarks from President Masu regarding the start of this decade, Professor Kei Sakaguchi from the School of Engineering spoke about "How 5G impact our future - From automated driving to super smart society -." After this, Assistant Professor Rumi Hisakata shared the "Next step of cognitive science from optical illusion study."
After the talks, presenters and viewers conducted an interactive Q&A session online. The virtual environment ensured that international alumni located far away geographically were also able to participate actively. Tokyo Tech Alumni Association President Kiyoto Ido wrapped up the session with some closing remarks.
Snapshot of 140th anniversary lecture
Six videos to celebrate Homecoming Day 2021
In preparation for an online celebration this year, Tokyo Tech students, staff, and alumni created six videos to mark Homecoming Day 2021. These include videos created by the Taki Plaza Gardener student group and messages sent in by alumni from across the world.
