Okayama University's 8th Kanemitsu Award Ceremony Celebrates Contributions to Academia and Society
On November 1, 2025, Okayama University celebrated the 8th Kanemitsu Award, along with the 5th Kanemitsu Encouragement Award and the 8th Kanemitsu Prize. This event was part of the Homecoming Day 2025 held on the university's Tsushima Campus at the Kanemitsu Hall, established to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the campus. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, attended by families of the awardees, making it a memorable occasion.
The Kanemitsu Awards were established in honor of the late Mr. Takamitsu Kanemitsu, a distinguished alumnus and benefactor of Okayama University. They aim to recognize individuals and groups who have made remarkable contributions in the fields of education, research, and social service. This year, the Kanemitsu Merit Award was awarded to Professor Nobuhiro Suzuki from the Institute of Resource Plant Science. He has emerged as an international leader in plant pathogenic fungi, having identified diverse viruses and discovered new virus life cycles and symbiotic relationships, with his research being published in top journals such as Nature Microbiology and Cell Host Microbe.
The recipients of the Kanemitsu Encouragement Award included the Educational Promotion Organization and the Human Resources Division. The former led the groundbreaking educational reform "Target 2025," collaborating on a large scale to reconstruct undergraduate education, making a substantial impact across national universities in Japan. Meanwhile, the Human Resources Division implemented institutional measures for highly specialized professionals through the J-PEAKS initiative, which has been recognized as a model case for personnel management reform at academic symposia organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The 8th Kanemitsu Prize honored 19 students for their outstanding research achievements among doctoral candidates and for their exceptional academic performance combined with international activities among fourth-year undergraduate students.
During the ceremony, President Yamato Nasus expressed gratitude to the late Mr. Kanemitsu and offered heartfelt congratulations to the awardees. Additionally, the president of Okayama University Alumni Association, Keiichi Konaga, shared words of appreciation for the late benefactor and well wishes for the recipients. Okayama University continues to honor individuals and groups for their exceptional achievements, striving for further development as a unique research university contributing to education, research, and community service. This commitment emphasizes the university's dedication to creating a sustainable future for the region and society at large.
This recognition aligns with the vision of Okayama University as a core research institution, actively involved in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and having received special recognition in Japan's first SDGs Award. As Okayama University moves forward, we encourage continued support and anticipation of its initiatives to foster innovation and community engagement in educational and socio-economic spheres. The complete list of award recipients can be accessed here.
The event serves as a reminder of the significant impact of educational institutions on society and the imperative of recognizing those who contribute selflessly to the academic community and the wider world.
For more information regarding the event or inquiries, please contact Okayama University, Planning Department, External Relations Office, at 086-251-7019 or visit the official university website.
The Kanemitsu Awards were established in honor of the late Mr. Takamitsu Kanemitsu, a distinguished alumnus and benefactor of Okayama University. They aim to recognize individuals and groups who have made remarkable contributions in the fields of education, research, and social service. This year, the Kanemitsu Merit Award was awarded to Professor Nobuhiro Suzuki from the Institute of Resource Plant Science. He has emerged as an international leader in plant pathogenic fungi, having identified diverse viruses and discovered new virus life cycles and symbiotic relationships, with his research being published in top journals such as Nature Microbiology and Cell Host Microbe.
The recipients of the Kanemitsu Encouragement Award included the Educational Promotion Organization and the Human Resources Division. The former led the groundbreaking educational reform "Target 2025," collaborating on a large scale to reconstruct undergraduate education, making a substantial impact across national universities in Japan. Meanwhile, the Human Resources Division implemented institutional measures for highly specialized professionals through the J-PEAKS initiative, which has been recognized as a model case for personnel management reform at academic symposia organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The 8th Kanemitsu Prize honored 19 students for their outstanding research achievements among doctoral candidates and for their exceptional academic performance combined with international activities among fourth-year undergraduate students.
During the ceremony, President Yamato Nasus expressed gratitude to the late Mr. Kanemitsu and offered heartfelt congratulations to the awardees. Additionally, the president of Okayama University Alumni Association, Keiichi Konaga, shared words of appreciation for the late benefactor and well wishes for the recipients. Okayama University continues to honor individuals and groups for their exceptional achievements, striving for further development as a unique research university contributing to education, research, and community service. This commitment emphasizes the university's dedication to creating a sustainable future for the region and society at large.
This recognition aligns with the vision of Okayama University as a core research institution, actively involved in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and having received special recognition in Japan's first SDGs Award. As Okayama University moves forward, we encourage continued support and anticipation of its initiatives to foster innovation and community engagement in educational and socio-economic spheres. The complete list of award recipients can be accessed here.
The event serves as a reminder of the significant impact of educational institutions on society and the imperative of recognizing those who contribute selflessly to the academic community and the wider world.
For more information regarding the event or inquiries, please contact Okayama University, Planning Department, External Relations Office, at 086-251-7019 or visit the official university website.
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