Student Voices: Quality of education and research is world class
Tue, Sep 6, 2016-
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From India
- Name: VADAKKE PARIYARATH Ranjusha
- Graduated from: Cochin University of Science and Technology
- Affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Doctoral program)
- Awards: Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship (Embassy recommendation)
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How did you find out about Waseda University?
After completing my master’s degree, I was trying to get a good research position with a fellowship. One of my friends came to Japan for his studies and told me about the excellent work culture. After that I went through the websites of Japanese leading universities, and I found Waseda University was one of the well renowned universities in Japan, and a good platform for environmental research.
Why did you choose Waseda?
I qualified in the MEXT recruitment for the 2014 academic year. Then I started contacting individual professors in Japanese universities. In Waseda, I found that there was interesting environmental research going on in the Sakakibara Laboratory, and it matched with my research interests. So I chose Waseda as my first preference. I also got positive responses from Professor Yutaka Sakakibara, for my candidacy, which really helped me in the later recruitment process.
How did you get information on our programs?
For admissions to the doctoral program I used the university website. It was so informative, and I got almost all the details there. I also looked at the lab’s website which had good details and found that my research topic was well matched with theirs. My professor is well known in the field and is conducting excellent research. He also emailed me detailed information, and that helped me to know very well about the work.
Did you have any concerns before coming to Japan?
This was my first time going outside my country, so definitely I was a little bit concerned about the language and culture. It takes time to learn the language, and I still don’t know any Japanese. But after coming here, many people helped me to go through all the processes. Now I’ve gotten used to the new environment. Also the staff at the International Student Desk has been giving us very good help.
Did you have any difficulties getting started here?
Yes. This is the first time I have traveled abroad, and the main problem was communication. I didn’t know Japanese and I felt everything was new. And I was staying a bit far from the university. I felt so difficult for a few days, but so many people helped me to overcome the difficulties. Later I moved nearer to the campus, so things got easier to manage. And in my laboratory almost all the people communicate well. I got some friends also, and everything is going fine now.
How is your life in Japan and at Waseda now?
It is a very nice experience with the university and the International Student Desk. My professor and labmates are very good, so it’s a nice experience to work with them. I have some friends also on the campus.
What do you do in your free time?
I have some Indian friends in Japan. Sometimes we meet and go sightseeing. We visited Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku, Okutama Lake, etc. I really enjoy traveling in Japan with friends.
How are the relationships with your supervisor and lab members?
My supervisor, Professor Sakakibara, gives excellent guidance in my research field. He is guiding me and giving me good ideas about the research, good comments, and we have good discussions. He is very nice. The lab members are so cooperative. It is a good working environment in my lab. Almost everyone in the lab speaks English, and the professor is very good in English, too. Every week we have seminars and discussions, which are active and interactive.
We also go out for some get-together functions like a graduation party. We have good relationships and the atmosphere is very nice.
What is your research about?
My research is on wastewater treatment, to treat antibiotic contaminated wastewater using biological methods. Antibiotic contamination creates environmental problems widely, and also leads to antibiotic resistance in microorganisms. We are trying to develop an efficient, cost-effective and feasible biological treatment method for antibiotics.
What are your plans after you finish your degree?
After graduation, I would like to continue in environmental research. I will look for more opportunities to conduct research which can be useful for my country.
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
In English
Japan is known around the globe for its hardworking and sincere people. The quality of education and research in Japan is world-class. Any prospective student can make Japan a destination country as it provides good facilities for study and research and world-famous professors. The community in Tokyo is highly cosmopolitan in nature. Waseda University is one of the top-level institutions in the country and becoming an international student here will be one of your best decisions.
In Malayalam
വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ-സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യകളിലും പ്രവർത്തനപരതയിലും ലോകനിലവാരം പുലർത്തുന്ന ജപ്പാനിലെ സർവ്വകലാശാലകളിൽ ഒന്നാണ് വസേദ സർവ്വകലാശാല. ഉന്നത പഠനത്തിനും ഗവേഷണത്തിനുമായി സർവ്വകലാശാല നല്കുന്ന നിരവധി അവസരങ്ങൾ ഇന്ത്യൻ വിദ്യാർത്ഥികൾക്ക് പ്രയോജനപരമായി ഉപയോഗിക്കാവുന്നതാണ്. പഠനച്ചെലവിനായി ജപ്പാൻ സർക്കാർ നൽകുന്ന വിവിധ സാമ്പത്തിക സഹായങ്ങൾ ഇന്ത്യൻ കേന്ദ്രമാനവശേഷിവകുപ്പിന്റെ വെബ്സൈറ്റിൽ ലഭ്യമാണ്:
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