豊田理研の研究交流会に参加。大学って、人々が1〜5年ぐらいしかいなくて、不安定な組織なんですよね。

そこで有機化学の先生の方針が印象的でした。①誰でも取り組める反応を基本にして、研究の継続性を確保します。②優秀な学生が来たら新規開発を進め、そこで独自性を確保します。

この①安定と②革新のバランスは、ものづくりやシステム開発にも通じる普遍的な工夫だと感じました。

Attended Toyota Riken’s research exchange meeting. Universities are unstable organizations where people stay for only about 1-5 years.

The approach of an organic chemistry professor was particularly impressive:

• (1) They base their work on reactions that anyone can undertake, ensuring research continuity.
• (2) When talented students join, they pursue new developments to secure originality.

I felt this balance between (1) stability and (2) innovation is a universal technique that applies to manufacturing and system development as well.