Experts Info

 

 

Hello, everyone, I’m Ayana Kato. I’m from Tokyo, Japan. I graduated from J.F. Oberlin university in Tokyo.

I studied Chinese in Beijing Minzu University of China for a year and I found that Chinese to be a very interesting subject. This period of study in China, deepened my understanding of Chinese culture and Chinese people. I also studied Japanese education in my university. J. F. Oberlin University’s creed is the ideal of “学而知人(Gakujijijin)”. That means learning in order to be able to help others. So I thought working as a Japanese teacher in China is the best job to make use of what I have learned. I’ve been working in the College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University since June 2019. This is a new experience for me, working as a Japanese teacher, it’s quite a challenging job but very rewarding. I really enjoy teaching here and have a good relationship with me students, some of whom will be exchange students in Japan. I also believe teaching Japanese is one of the ways to promote friendship between China and Japan. I am so grateful to be a part of this university and surrounded by amazing people.


 

Hi, my name is Iker Kim Alberdi and I am from Bilbao (Basque Country), Spain. I am graduated from Deusto University in Spain, with a major in Engineering. My masters degree is in Industrial Management, obtained in 2009. I also studied Mandarin as a second language for 1 and a half years in Ningbo University.

That experience and my close contact with Chinese citizens  helped me to realize the differences and similarities from these very different cultures (with the social and business points of view), helping me to have a deep understanding of the values and motivations from both of them.

I've been teaching Spanish and culture interactions in the School of Management of the College of Science and Technology,Ningbo University since 2022.

Teaching is the most rewarding activity because there is a huge gratification from watching students improve their personal and academic skills and translating to them the knowledge and experiences I've been accumulating during the years, preparing them to have and edge in the competitive and increasingly global economy in the outside world.


I attended Tama Art University to study glass art. While there are many ways to mold glass, I found blown glass to be very fascinating. A rod's tip is used in the molding process known as "blowing glass," which involves applying heat of more than 1000 degrees to change the shape. I vividly recall how thrilled I was to mold glass, which is pliable like maltose syrup and constantly changes shape.

I continued to produce and exhibit glass works after I had my degree while working at Azumino Glass Studio and Tokyo International Glass School. Particularly, the Tokyo International Glass School is a glass-focused teaching facility, and I personally have learnt a great deal about the manufacture of glass as well as knowledge of materials and methodologies there. I served as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts for six years starting in 2010. The faculty and students at Tokyo University of the Arts had a genuine demeanor, and I could tell they were enthusiastic about their work. The experience of being in such an environment has taught me a lot.

Since 2018, I have been teaching at the College of Science & Technology at Ningbo University. I was concerned at the time, but more importantly, I had high expectations for embarking on a new adventure. I built the class curriculum from scratch, assembled the tools and equipment, and started the glass laboratory. The works of students in the glass department have since become more and more well-known, and the number of students had successfully risen steadily.

  Fumio Shimada was born in Tochigi, Japan 1948. For 46 years, he has committed himself in the world of ceramics as an artist and also a teacher at the Tokyo University of the Arts. He continues to pursue his passion as a ceramic artist and an enthusiastic promoter of international exchange between ceramic professionals and students. 

  In 1969, he joined the Tokyo University of the Arts, majoring in Crafts at the Department of Fine Arts for his undergraduate degree. In 1975, he completed his post graduate studies in ceramics. His Graduation pieces were purchased by the Tokyo University of the Arts. Upon graduation, he began his teaching career as a part-time lecturer at the Tokyo University of the Arts. In 1990, he became instructor and in 1994, he became assistant professor. In 2003, he was appointed professor and continued to teach at the university until his retirement in 2016. He is now the professor emeritus at the Tokyo University of the Arts.

Awards

1975 Japan Art and Crafts Chairman Prize, the 15th Annual Traditional Art and Crafts Musashino Exhibition

1992 Aviation Day Art Prize, the Japan Aviation Foundation

1997 Grand Prize, Bonsai Vessel Exhibition