The SFC Open Research Forum (ORF) for 2016 was held over two days at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi on November 18 (Friday) and 19 (Saturday).
The ORF is held every year in November, when Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) showcases the efforts of its cutting edge research to the wider public. The main purposes of this event are to give back to society with the results of research, and to further develop ties with industry, government and academia. The theme of the ORF 2016 was a Japanese word: ‘KAERU’（かえる）. Depending on the use and context, ‘KAERU’ can hold many meanings all of which are representative of activities as Keio SFC, such as change and innovation, incubation, and the exchange of ideas.
At this year’s ORF, which was the 21st time the event has been held, 90 displaying organizations presented in the display booths on the B1 level hall of Tokyo Midtown East, a big increase on last year. Around 190 different projects were introduced, which saw the meaningful exchange of knowledge unfold with enthusiasm.
In the workshop area the many attendees were able to participate in and experience the production process, and the venue bustled with activity on various themes such as manufacturing, architecture, and communication.
In addition, heated discussion took place in the Tokyo Midtown Tower fourth floor Conference, where around 45 sessions were held. Guest speakers from the various fields such as business and public administration were invited to join these sessions including industry sponsored sessions, premium sessions held by the ORF Planning Committee, and sessions held by individual Keio SFC Kenkyukai (Kenkyukai at Keio SFC are seminars where students research with professors to solve a real world problem).
An information session for prospective Keio SFC Graduate School entrants, an SFC session for high school students, and the award ceremony for the “Fab 3D Contest 2016,” which aims at advancing the utilization of 3D printer and discovering of new talents, were also held, which brought in guests of all generations.
