Connor Davidson, a 2025 graduate, has been offered a MEXT scholarship to the University of Tokyo’s International Graduate School, Japan. Davis is one of only eight  international students who has received this award.

The MEXT Scholarship is a fully-funded academic scholarship provided by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). Established to strengthen international relations and promote cultural exchange, this scholarship offers international students the opportunity to study at Japanese universities. The University of Tokyo’s civil engineering department picks their international candidates and awards the scholarship through a recommendation to the Japanese government.

David will be joining the civil engineering department and will work under Professor Tomonori Nagayama doing research in the infrastructure technology and design field. His research proposal is on “Smart Sensor Applications in Bridge Design”. 

David says that “the Civil Engineering Department has played a pivotal role in my academic journey and my pursuit of a scholarship to the University of Tokyo. From the very beginning, I was a student with many questions, often seeking guidance beyond the classroom. I frequently visited professors during office hours, and without fail, they were always welcoming and willing to help. Even faculty members with whom I had no current classes, like Ms. Gurley and Dr. Germany, took the time to answer my questions.

When I began the process of applying for this scholarship, I faced two significant challenges: writing a strong research proposal and securing two letters of recommendation. Fortunately, Professor David Spears and Dr. Venky Shankar went above and beyond in supporting me. They both agreed to write a letter of recommendation, and Dr. Shankar took an active role in refining my research proposal and answering my numerous questions. He not only provided insightful feedback but also shared valuable resources.  Additionally, other professors, including Dr. Chen, Dr. Whang, and Ms. Gurley, generously took the time to review my proposal. The collective support received from Tech’s professors played a crucial role in strengthening my application, and I am deeply grateful for their guidance.

I would like to thank the Civil Engineering Department for fostering such a supportive and encouraging environment, even when their schedules are already full. The mentorship, guidance, and generosity of the faculty have been instrumental in helping me reach this milestone, and I truly could not have done it without them.”