Message from the Dean of the Faculty and Graduate School of System Design

The Campus Where Cutting-Edge Knowledge Converges 

Dean Yoshiki Shimomura

The name of our faculty comprises two words: systems and design. A system is an arrangement in which multiple, diverse elements coordinate to achieve a common objective. Although artifacts we create and utilise may take various forms, their essence can be considered systems. Therefore, to create, use, and manage artifacts effectively, it is necessary to understand the essence of systems and apply that knowledge appropriately. In engineering, “design” is often understood as “engineering design,” which refers to the thinking and actions involved in creating systems. For those studying or practicing engineering—a discipline often described as the system of monozukuri (the making of things)—no concept is more familiar, essential, or important. 

A comprehensive and widely accepted framework for learning design in engineering education does not currently exist. This is due to the unique nature of the thinking and actions required to create systems. Society recognizes knowledge as legitimate when it is supported by science, which involves analyzing phenomena to reveal their truth and systematically organizing the results. However, creating artificial systems—those not found in nature—relies primarily on synthesis, which differs from and, in some respects, opposes analysis. This process also involves a fallible mode of thought that accepts the possibility of error. The goal of design is to bring a phenomenon into existence, not to understand it. Therefore, learning scientific systems and learning design are fundamentally different. Consequently, engineering education that prioritizes academic rigor and scientific principles has not sufficiently developed or provided design education in this context. 

Another reason design has not been adequately integrated into previous engineering education frameworks is that the correctness of a design is often ambiguous; its interpretation depends on subjectivity and context. This subjectivity conflicts with the objectivity, reproducibility, and universality emphasized by the scientific method. As a result, the knowledge required to explain why certain things should or should not be created—knowledge central to design—has rarely been directly addressed in engineering and related interdisciplinary fields. This contradiction has created a significant disconnect between engineering, which should be a practical discipline, and society. However, as serious problems resulting from this disconnect have become more common, and as recognition has grown that human design contributes to these issues, there is increasing demand across many sectors for engineering and design to adapt to better address societal needs. 

The Faculty of System Design serves as a specialized academic hub for engineering education and research, established to address current societal needs. It brings together advanced knowledge from information technology, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and art. Through flexible, interdisciplinary, and innovative methods, the faculty develops and demonstrates the latest systems and design approaches for society. The faculty also offers advanced university education that comprehensively covers these fields. Students benefit from exclusive learning opportunities, research experiences, and interactions with mentors and peers available only within this faculty. We look forward to you joining us in advancing new directions in systems design.