In early February 2026, a group of seven undergraduate students from Nagoya University participated in a 10-day overseas program in Singapore titled the “Smart City Experiential Learning Program.”
Throughout the program, students explored smart city concepts beyond textbooks and classroom discussions through experiential learning and direct engagement with the urban environment.
Activities included visits to universities, lectures and presentations, as well as field-based observations of mobility systems, public spaces, sustainability initiatives, and everyday urban life. Students also had opportunities to engage with local students and professionals, allowing them to examine how smart city ideas are implemented and experienced in practice.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the program was seeing students from diverse academic backgrounds (engineering, materials science, law, and more) begin connecting smart city themes to their own studies, interests, questions, and future aspirations. Student reflections indicated that many participants came to view smart cities not simply as collections of technologies, but as ecosystems deeply connected to people, culture, sustainability, and everyday urban experiences.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all universities (National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Institute of Technology(SIT), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)), organizations, industry partners, and students who welcomed and supported the group throughout the program. Special thanks also to Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA) Singapore City Gallery, Sustainable Singapore Gallery, JETRO Singapore – Accelerate Innovation with Japan -, JR East / One & Co, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for their collaboration and support.
