Kyoto University - System Optimization Laboratory

Students' Research Activities

The research theme is usually defined according to the students' interest. An undergraduate student usually do not have enough experience in research, so frequently the theme is defined with the supervisor's help. A master student either considers a new subject or continues with the same topic of the undergraduate research. Every week, we hold some seminars, where basic and advanced subjects involving Optimization are presented. Frequently, the students also have meetings with the supervisor. We hope the master and the doctor students to increase his/her research capabilities, aiming publications in academic journals and presentations in academic meetings.

Meetings and Seminars

In this laboratory, we frequently hold meetings and seminars. Each day of a seminar or a research meeting (usually called workshop) are presented by one or more students or researchers. The presenter may use slides, whiteboard/blackboard or tablets, and should explain his/her research carefully, always trying to clarify the listeners' doubts.

Research Meeting (Workshop)

About: The presenter (either a student, a post-doc or a visiting researcher) should explain his/her current research between 30 minutes to 1 hour. He/she should share in advance the presentation's slides for all the members. Frequency: once a week.

Paper Introduction

The presenter (in this case, a student) should read an academic paper, understand all the details, and explain it to the listeners. The choice of the paper is as important as the presentation. Frequency: 2 or 3 times a month.

Book Seminar

We read some (English) book concerning Optimization. The aim is to learn fundamental aspects of Optimization and, at the same time, to improve the English reading. The student should present his/her lecture in about 2 hours. During the summer/spring holidays, we also recommend the students to spend some time solving the exercises and implementing the algorithms presented in the book. Frequency: once a week.

Undergraduate's Seminar (B4 Seminar)

The aim is to learn the basic aspects of Continuous Optimization. This seminar is not only for 4th-year undergraduate students, but also master students that have graduated in another laboratory/university and that are not familiar with the area. Usually, the guidance is given by some master students. Frequency: once a week (1st semester, 1 month in the 2nd semester).

Basic Tips Seminar

The aim is to learn tips for writting papers, preparing slides, and computer skills (Latex, programming Optimization methods, scripts, version control, etc). Frequency: 2 times a year (1st semester).

Conference Presentations

We encourage the master/doctor students to present their works in conferences and academic meetings. Depending on the research results, it is also possible to participate in international conferences. In both national and international cases, we provide financial support for traveling. For the list of presentations given by our students, see here.

Applied Mathematics' Group

Students from Kyoto University and other universities from Kansai area that have interest in Applied Mathematics (including Optimization) can be members of Kyoto University SIAM Student Chapter. Related events and meetings are also held with some frequence.

Installation

Each student has his/her own desk, office chair, bookcase, desktop computer, notebook (Linux, Mac OS, Windows) and tablet. In the common area of the laboratory's office, we have some couches, tables, printers, copy machines, air purifiers, electric kettles, refrigerators, microwave ovens, etc. We also provide other equipment and books as long as it is necessary.

Visiting Researchers

Optimization is a fundamental area of Engineering with applications in many fields. In this laboratory, we have cooperation with private enterprises and other laboratories/universities. Each professor also works together with many researchers, and some of them happens to visit our laboratory. For the list of visiting researchers from abroad, see here.