Oxford academics assist Japan’s Shimane University to develop world-class engineering centre

Four academics from the University of Oxford provided advice and expertise to Shimane University in Japan in support of the establishment of a world-class engineering centre.

NEXTA , the Next Generation Tatara Co-Creation Centre, was established through a collaboration between Shimane University and Shimane Prefecture as part of the Tatara Project, which aims to promote regional industrial creation through industry-government-academic collaboration. The Centre will work with the region’s speciality metal industry to develop new materials and provide young people with opportunities to study and work in the field.

Prof Roger Reed , from Oxford's Department of Materials , led the engagement, supported by Prof Graham McCartney, a visiting academic to Oxford from the University of Nottingham and, latterly, Dr Yuanbo Tang and Dr Satoshi Utada, Research Fellows in the Department. All consultancies were arranged and managed by Oxford University Innovation's Consultancy Services team.

Prof Reed provided strategic direction to the project as well as expertise in materials development for the aerospace and motor industries. He has taught subjects relevant to heat-resistant alloys and prepared teaching materials so that the University can build its own capacity in these areas.

Prof McCartney contributed strategic advice on industry-academia relationships, gave seminars?on materials processing, and advised?on curriculum?development?in the processing, structure, and properties of materials. He also provided advice on building relationships with UK industrial partners and taught a course on alloy design taken by undergraduates.

Dr Yuanbo Tang and Dr Satoshi Utada continue to assist Prof Reed in the design of teaching materials for a 3rd year undergraduate course on advanced processing of materials and structural alloys, as well as delivering some aspects of the course. The engagement with Shimane University has led to several joint publications.

The project also has a community outreach element, as lectures designed for school children are being developed: for 7-8 year olds on the importance of maths and science; for 13-14 year olds on materials science and engineering; and for 17-18 year olds on materials science and the Tatara Project. In total 9 high schools covering some 258 students benefited from the Tatara Project during 2020/21.

Prof Reed’s passion for educating young people is evident though this project. In his own words, “…what is important for this [manufacturing] is education for young people who will lead the future…I want young Japanese people to have a 'never give up' mindset. Regardless of birthplace or financial background, you can make your dreams come true.”