2015.11.25
SFC Open Research Forum (ORF) 2015 was held for two days on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, kicking off with a "Preliminary Session" event on the evening of Thursday, November 19.
ORF is held annually in November with the aim of widely showcasing the advanced research initiatives of the Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) to the public, returning its results (seeds) to society, and further developing industry-government-academia collaboration.
This year marked the 20th ORF and a milestone 25th anniversary for SFC, held under the theme "Seeds of the Next Century: Thinking About 100 Years from Now in Our 25th Year."
The various scientific technologies, social systems, and industries deeply rooted in our 21st-century lives had their prototypes created 100 years ago. This suggests that the seeds of the technologies, systems, and industries that will permeate society 100 years from now must be sown today. This theme embodies the hope that by experiencing the seeds of the next century that have sprouted at SFC through ORF, we can think about the next 100 years together, as it is SFC's role to constantly create something new.
Following last year's event, the "Preliminary Session" was held at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi. The first half featured a Bibliobattle, a book review competition by authors and editors with ties to SFC, while the second half featured a thrilling live performance by Toru Iwatake + Cyber Sound Project, bringing great excitement to the venue.
The main event, held over two days on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at Tokyo Midtown, was filled with even more energy than last year, drawing a larger crowd.
At the exhibition, one of the main event's centerpieces, booths were set up with wooden frames inside the Tokyo Midtown hall, and a giant wooden dome appeared in the open space. Amid the scent of wood, unique research activities were introduced to visitors. At the exhibition booths, not only were there lively exchanges between researchers and visitors, but also among the researchers themselves, fostering a wide-ranging intellectual exchange again this year.
Additionally, a variety of workshops were held on diverse themes, allowing visitors to participate in or experience the creative process. A design workshop where participants could experience manufacturing using a laser cutter brought to the venue proved to be particularly popular.
Many sessions were also held at the session venues. In the premium session "Miraisozojuku (Institute for Designing the Future) Starts! And Beyond," a spirited debate took place regarding the establishment of the Miraisozojuku (Institute for Designing the Future), with no distinction between speakers and attendees. In another premium session, "Vision for a Fab Earth Society 2025—Internet x Bio x Design x Fab," a heated discussion unfolded about what is likely to happen in the world as digital fabrication and biotechnology converge.
Open Research Forum 2015: Keio Research Institute at SFC, Keio University | SFC Open Research Forum 2015
Photography: Susumu Ishido and others