WELCOME
Message from the Director
In 2007, we celebrated the 125th anniversary of Waseda University.
On that occasion, we recalled the activities of the past of Waseda
University and we also discussed the things to be done in future..
We have designed the action plan called “Next 125” for the starting
of the next 125 years. One of the most important targets of “Next 125”
is that Waseda University should strive for an important position as a
“Research University” in the world. Although Waseda University is
considered as one of the excellent universities for “Education”,
we strongly wish Waseda University to be recognized also as a distinguished
“Research University”. Achievement of high research capability will then
stimulate further improvement of the education level of Waseda University.
We believe that the Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science
and Technology (ZAIKEN) should take a major role toward the “Research University”.
This laboratory was established in 1938 as “Casting Research Laboratory”.
Since then many outstanding results have been produced, stimulating not only
academic societies but also industrial activities. In 1988, ZAIKEN was reorganized
to serve as a research institute open to wider areas of materials research, applying
the fruits of basic materials science to stimulate further research and education
as well as to create new industries and to contribute to the establishment of a
sustainable society.
Our contribution toward the “Research University”
will be to do our best to create new ideas and to develop excellent technologies
following our fine senior researchers, and also to provide young researchers with
superior research environments.
Materials research has often stimulated new technological innovations in a variety
of areas. At the same time, however, materials research needs a lot of patience before
outstanding results can be achieved. I strongly wish all the students and young researchers
working in ZAIKEN to find interesting research subjects and to patiently tackle the challenges.
Dr.
Yoshiji Horikoshi
Director
Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology