FSI scholars approach their research on the environment from regulatory, economic and societal angles. The Center on Food Security and the Environment weighs the connection between climate change and agriculture; the impact of biofuel expansion on land and food supply; how to increase crop yields without expanding agricultural lands; and the trends in aquaculture. FSE’s research spans the globe – from the potential of smallholder irrigation to reduce hunger and improve development in sub-Saharan Africa to the devastation of drought on Iowa farms.
Defining success through positive development
I gained my definition of
success through Stanford . . .
-Makoto Takeuchi, 2004-2005
Corporate Affiliates Program fellow
When Makoto Takeuchi came to the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific
Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) as a Corporate Affiliates Program fellow
during the 2004-2005 academic year, he was working as a senior manager with the
Business Development Group of Kansai Electric Power Company, located in Osaka,
Japan. Osaka, part of Japan's Kansai region, is a bustling metropolis and an
important economic and historical center of Japan. Kansai Electric Power
Company is a large energy company that utilizes a combination of energy
sources, including nuclear power, which makes up over 50 percent of its power
supply, as well as thermal (oil, coal, and liquid natural gas) and hydropower.
Takeuchi found the environment of Stanford University, including its situation
in Silicon Valley, stimulating. "I was excited by the diversity and speed of
dynamic innovation in Silicon Valley, and the people who utilize their
knowledge and skills in order to achieve their dreams," he said. Drawing from
this, he carried out a research project exploring complementary strategies for
sustainable corporate growth. He concluded that such sustainable growth comes
from a balance of internal and external resources and short- and long-term
gains, driven by innovation, integration, and interaction.
During his time at Shorenstein APARC, Takeuchi also developed his understanding
of working as a part of a team on a project. "I learned that the success of
projects requires orchestrating the talents and efforts of many people," he
said. He now applies his knowledge of teamwork to the work that he does today,
including the essential skill of communicating with colleagues from different
cultural and professional backgrounds. Being sensitive to the values of others is
crucial when it comes to collaboration, he learned.
Prior to coming to Stanford University, Takeuchi had not yet defined his own idea
of "success." He now measures success by the positive impact that he has on
society, which to him is evidenced by the "smiles on the faces of my customers,
stakeholders, and family." Takeuchi has the opportunity to effect positive
economic and energy development in his new position as a senior energy
specialist with the World Bank's East Asia Sustainable Development Department.
"When I considered how I could make the most of my skills . . . the answer was
to provide clean energy through a sophisticated power system with renewable
energy and to contribute to what people in the region really want," he explained.
In his role with the World Bank, Takeuchi is working toward increasing access
to cleaner energy and laying the foundation for sustainable growth in
developing countries, and, of course, to gain smiles in the process.
For current and future Corporate Affiliates fellows, Takeuchi imparts the
wisdom: "As soon as possible, you should discover the criteria for evaluating
your own success. Then, you should just run toward it!"
