2024 Capstone Final Presentations

Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) Faculty of Engineering recently celebrated the resounding success of its annual Capstone Project Final Presentation, showcasing the innovative spirit and industry-ready skills of its undergraduate students. On Wednesday, January 15th, a dynamic event brought together 93 fourth-year and 143 third-year engineering students alongside 32 leading companies to witness the culmination of months of dedicated project work.

The Capstone Project in the Faculty of Engineering is the culminating experience of your KUAS education. This project-based learning course challenges students to apply their accumulated knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems presented by companies. It serves as the capstone of their academic journey, integrating all they have learned. (Full details)

Beyond the Internship: Real-World R&D Experience at KUAS

The KUAS Engineering Capstone Project stands out as a pioneering initiative in Japanese engineering education. Unlike traditional internships, this student-driven program empowers teams of students to tackle real corporate challenges directly within the university environment. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the full cycle of research and development (R&D) while still pursuing their undergraduate degrees, effectively bridging the gap between academia and industry.

A Collaborative Ecosystem of Learning and Innovation

This year’s Capstone Project saw impressive participation:
Implementation and Presentation: Following rigorous research and development planning in consultation with industry experts, student teams dedicated the Fall semester to implementing their innovative solutions.

• 50 Project Teams: 20 teams from the 4th year and 30 teams from the 3rd year.
• 32 Partner Companies: Industry leaders providing 50 diverse and challenging assignments.
• Hands-on Industry Guidance: Student teams benefited from invaluable mentorship and advice from engineers at partner companies, fostering a true collaborative learning environment.

Over 140 Industry Professionals Witness Student Ingenuity

The final presentation event drew over 140 attendees, primarily from participating partner companies and the wider business community, highlighting the strong industry interest in KUAS Engineering talent. All 50 student teams showcased their projects through engaging poster presentations, with students enthusiastically explaining their methodologies, findings, and solutions to visitors.

Lively Discussions and Industry-Student Mixer

The event fostered vibrant interaction, with engaging discussions extending beyond the poster sessions into a dedicated company-student mixer. This provided a valuable platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and potential future collaborations.

Celebrating Excellence: Awards for Outstanding Projects

A highlight of the event was the awards ceremony, where visitors voted to recognize outstanding achievements. Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes were awarded to top-performing teams from both the fourth and third-year cohorts, celebrating their exceptional work and innovative solutions.

Gold Prize-Winning Project: Meeting Real-World Challenges Head-On

Professor Matsumoto, supervisor of the gold-prize winning fourth-year team, highlighted the project’s success: “The team’s objective was to overcome significant company-set challenges using limited resources – specifically, a small number of motors and sensors. Their success in meeting these demanding specifications, coupled with a clear and compelling presentation, led to this well-deserved high evaluation.”

Why the KUAS Engineering Capstone Project Matters to You:

• Real-World Experience: Go beyond textbook learning and tackle genuine industry challenges.
• Develop Industry-Ready Skills: Gain practical R&D experience sought after by top companies.
• Build Your Professional Network: Connect directly with engineers and business leaders from our partner companies.
• Boost Your Employability: Graduate with a portfolio of impactful projects and a proven track record of problem-solving.
• Experience Japan’s Leading-Edge Engineering Education: KUAS is at the forefront of project-based learning in engineering in Japan.

Ready to launch your engineering career with real-world impact? Discover more about the innovative Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University of Advanced Science and how the Capstone Project can be your launchpad to success!

(Hiroshi Kawakami, Faculty of Engineering)
(Giovanni Perez, revisioned by International Office)