On 11 June, the KyotoU Wildlife Research Center (WRC) commemorated its 10th anniversary with a symposium, ceremony, and reception.
The symposium was held in Shiran Kaikan's Inamori Hall and opened with President Juichi Yamagiwa's commemorative speech and lecture on wildlife. Five lectures related to the theme of “Seeking coexistence with wildlife” followed: “Elucidating the mysteries of wildlife through genomics” by WRC Director Miho Murayama; “Understanding the behavior of wildlife” by WRC Professor Shiro Koshima; “Research and preservation of African wildlife” by WRC Professor Genichi Idani; “Exploring animals’ mind” by WRC Professor Satoshi Hirata; and “Research collaboration with zoos” by Dr Masayuki Tanaka, director of Kyoto City Zoo's Center for Research and Education of Wildlife. The talks elicited numerous questions from the around 230 attendees, including members of the general public.
The commemorative ceremony continued with opening remarks from Director Murayama. Dr Naoki Sato, Kyoto University's executive vice-president for finance, facilities, and environmental health and safety, then delivered a congratulatory speech. This was followed by words of congratulations from three distinguished guests: Daisaku Kadokawa, mayor of Kyoto; Kazuo Horiba, deputy mayor of Nagoya; and Tomonori Nishii, director of the Scientific Research Institutes Division of the science ministry MEXT's Research Promotion Bureau . Each speaker praised WRC’s academic achievements, and expressed high expectations for the institute's future endeavors. Dr Tetsuro Matsuzawa, distinguished professor of the KyotoU Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS), concluded the ceremony with a keynote lecture entitled “Known to the world for 50 years, waiting to be judged 100 years from now”.
The reception took place in Yamauchi Hall of Shiran Kaikan. Former KyotoU President Kazuo Oike, currently the president of Kyoto University of Art and Design, delivered an opening speech and toast, creating a relaxed atmosphere to celebrate WRC’s 10th anniversary.
WRC Director Murayama
President Yamagiwa
From left: Professor Hirata, Professor Itani, President Oike, President Yamagiwa, Director Murayama, Distinguished Professor Matsuzawa, Professor Koshima, and Director Tanaka
Ceremony participants
Related link
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University
https://www.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/
