UTM has a new professor on campus this semester all the way from Hirosaki University in Japan. Dr. Takao Komatsu is participating in an ongoing visiting professor exchange program for the fall semester. UTM and Hirosaki University have maintained a sister-university relationship for more than 20 years.

Dr. Komatsu graduated from Tokyo University with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and a master of science degree from Gakushuin University in Tokyo. After teaching high school mathematics, he decided to move to Australia where he began his doctoral work. He completed a doctorate in mathematics in 1995 from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He taught for a short time at Nagaoka National College of Technology before moving to Mie University in Tsu, Japan, in 1998. Komatsu joined the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Hirosaki University in 2003, where for the past three years he has an associate professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Komatsu is teaching a graduate-level class, advanced number theory, here at UTM. In addition to teaching he recently spoke on the history of mathematics at his first colloquium and is scheduled to make presentations on certain topics about number theory at the Oct. 9 and Nov. 13 colloquia. He has also published many articles and technical reports and is co-author of the book, “Practical Courses for Teachers of Technical Education.”

Komatsu said that he was very impressed with UTM and all that it had to offer. He said that everything seemed to be much larger, such as the buildings on campus, than compared to Hirosaki University. He said that he hadn’t been able to interact with much of the student body face-to face, but that everyone seemed to be very polite. When asked about what he thought of college students here at UTM compared to Hirosaki students he said, “Even though they (Japanese students) seemed to have a higher learning level, they have lost much of their enthusiasm and motivation in the classroom, unlike the students here at UTM who seem to high motivated and very energetic when it comes to studying.”

“I am very thankful to be able to live here, even though some of the things are like I expected, I have seen that some things are not exactly what I expected” said Komatsu. He stated that he had always pictured America to be somewhat dangerous, but after arriving here at UT Martin he has found the City of Martin to be very safe and welcoming. The only thing that Komatsu didn’t like was the barking dogs at night, he said that in Japan they are always on leashes.

Komatsu enjoys many hobbies, particularly running. He has been an avid runner ever since high school and has participated in this activity for over 20 years. In this year’s Soybean Festival 5K race, Komatsu claimed first place.Komatsu is here with his wife, Setsuko, and his two sons, Yoshiya and Ibuki.