Ralph Abraham, Fulbright Trip of 2005 to Japan, Report

PART II: Kyoto University

Again, Professor Takashi Hikihara was the host for my two-week visit. Professor Hikihara leads the subprogram in chaos theory and computational math in KUEE, and also has brought together indisciplinary groups interested in complex systems applied to many other fields. Dr. Susuki, whom I met as a graduate student last year, is now on the research staff of Prof. Hikihara's lab. As before, this unit is involved in a vast number of varied and interesting research projects involving dynamical systems theory and computation applied to several subjects. And as always, the level is world class.

For example, Dr. Susuki introduced me to a new research program. Since my visit a year ago, new methods for computation and control of hybrid systems were mastered, and applied to the important problem of stabilizing an electric power network.

In addition, Mr. Yamasue, an advanced Ph.D. student in Professor Hikihara's group, described his work on time delay chaos control using the harmonic balance method. In addition to a careful study of the theory and computational methods, he had worked out in detail an avant-garde application to nanotechnology, a new focus of the Kyoto University Engineering school.

Prof. Hikihara and Dr. Susuki looked after me carefully during the visit, so I have seen a record number of temples, gardens, and fine restaurants.

Activities

During my two weeks in Kyoto, I went to the university nearly every day. I gave two lectures in an electrical engineering graduate course at the new Katsura campus, and one more advanced lecture on current research to the dynamical systems faculty seminar in the math department, at the original Yoshida campus. I had several talks with Professor Hikihara, Dr. Susuki, and Mr. Yamasue, about their current research. In addition, Professor Ueda visited Kyoto during my stay there, and we continued our conversations from Hakodate.

Further, I was able to meet two other members of the KU faculty, Professor Kosaku Inagaki of the Informatics Department, and Professor Chihiro Suematsu of the Economics Department, that I had met last year. I spent much time discussing complex systems and related subjects with them.

Recommendations

As last year, it seems that Kyoto University could benefit by more support being given to innovative faculty and programs, to liberalize the overall educational project.