From 24–31 March, 25 students from Temasek Polytechnic, School of Informatics & IT (IIT), together with lecturer Mr Jason Lim, were in Kumamoto, Japan for an exchange programme at the Kumamoto National College of Technology (KNCT). The students were from the Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Interactive & Media Informatics and Diploma in Mobile & Network Services.

The programme aimed to provide the students a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and expose them to highly innovative use of technologies through visiting Japanese IT companies and factories.

Besides being taken on a guided tour of KNCT and Kumamoto city by their Japanese counterparts, the students also participated in culturally significant activities like the Hanami (Sakura flower viewing) and Japanese archery. Staying with local families on a farm also provided them with excellent opportunities to learn about the different lifestyles and traditions of the Japanese.  

The students also visited sites such as Mt. Aso, Japan’s largest and most active volcano, Daizaifu Shrine and Robosquare, where they programmed robots for a race!

The Japanese culture, the many beautiful sights, sounds and tastes, and the friendly Japanese made the whole trip extremely memorable for the group.