On August 28, the Master’s thesis presentations of Oat and Rahman was implemented. They are both preparing to graduate this fall. Each gave a 30-minute talk followed by Q&A, where they shared the results of their two years of research.
After their presentations, they also gave us some personal reflections:
Oat: A Transformative Journey: Reflecting on My Master’s in Interactive Media and Design Lab
“My decision to pursue graduate studies was born from a deep-seated passion for international experience and a desire to elevate my professional capabilities. After four years as a software engineer in the banking and software sectors, I found myself at a critical juncture. Observing many of my colleagues pursue advanced degrees, whether through specialized courses or full-time enrollment, prompted a period of self-reflection on my own career trajectory. This led to what would become one of the most significant and rewarding decisions of my life ‘returning to school once again’.
My undergraduate experience had planted the seeds for this next step. A course on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) had fundamentally altered my perspective on technology. It taught me that innovation is not solely about possessing the fantasy features and application, but about deeply understanding the user. This human-centered approach, rooted in the principle of empathy, resonated with me on a profound level and solidified my conviction that if I were to pursue further education, HCI was the field I would choose.
Two years ago, I embarked on this journey, joining the Interactive Media and Design Lab in Japan. The experience has exceeded my expectations in every regard. The research conducted here is dedicated to improving the human experience through technology. It goes beyond the purely technical and focuses on creating solutions that genuinely enhance people’s lives. This ethics of empathy extends beyond the projects and permeates the entire lab environment. Professors and fellow students alike embody a spirit of collaboration and understanding, recognizing and supporting the unique strengths of each individual. This collective empathy has been truly remarkable to witness and be a part of.
For my master’s research, I am developing a training system to support individuals struggling with communication skills. This project has required me to conduct extensive literature reviews across diverse fields, from computer science to psychology, to identify effective methodologies for communication skill development. Through this work, I have gained invaluable insights into HCI methodologies, academic research practices, and cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality and 3D design. Coming from a corporate background, this academic immersion has been an incredibly eye-opening experience.
The knowledge and skills I have cultivated at this lab will be instrumental in my future career. The principles of human-centric design I’ve learned here will allow me to be a more empathetic and effective engineer, capable of creating solutions that are not only technologically sound but also deeply aligned with user needs. Just as the business world has embraced a “customer-centric” approach, this lab has instilled in me a human-centric mindset that I am confident will be an invaluable asset. My decision to pursue this master’s degree has undoubtedly been one of the best of my life.”
[Oat during his presentation]
Rahman: Master’s Thesis Presentation at NAIST
“I am pleased to share that I recently delivered my Master’s thesis presentation at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan.
My thesis, titled:
“Smart Rehabilitation for Augmenting Therapists’ Skills: A Mixed Reality System for Simulating AI-Generated Patient-Specific Impaired Walking Motions and an Assistive Robotic Walker,”
focused on developing innovative systems that combine Mixed Reality, AI-driven motion generation, and robotic assistance to support therapist training and patient rehabilitation.
This presentation was an important milestone, giving me the opportunity to present two years of research and receive constructive feedback from my professors and peers. I am also grateful for the chance to collaborate with the Kyoto University, Japan and University of Trento (MIRO-Lab, Italy) whose expertise and insights greatly shaped this work.
The official result is not yet announced, but I feel encouraged and motivated by completing this stage, and I look forward to the next steps in advancing immersive technologies for healthcare.”
Both Oat and Rahman shared thoughtful insights that reflect not only their research achievements but also their personal growth during their time in the lab. We warmly congratulate them on reaching this milestone and look forward to seeing their next steps!
[Rahman during his presentation]
