An event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Kyoto University European Center was held in Heidelberg, Germany, on 20 September 2024. Over 80 people attended, including scholars and researchers from throughout Europe, students, and members of the general public.
The event's public program included a lecture for students by Professor Björn-Ole Kamm of the Graduate School of Letters. That was followed by a public reading on the theme of "Symbiosis" by Dr Yoko Tawada, a writer based in Germany, and academic lectures on the same theme by Professor Miho Ishii of the Institute for Research in Humanities and Professor Jan-Dirk Schmöcker of the Graduate School of Engineering.
After the public program, the 10th anniversary ceremony was opened with remarks from Professor Tetsuo Sawaragi, executive vice-president for research ethics, integrity, code of conduct, and international affairs, and Professor Frauke Melchior, rector of Heidelberg University. Then, congratulatory greetings were conveyed by Mr Kenichi Bessho of the Consulate General of Japan in Munich and Professor Inge Hanewinkel, vice-president of the University of Göttingen. The ceremony was then concluded with a presentation about the center's achievements over the past 10 years by its director, Professor Mika Yokoyama.
After the ceremony, a reception was held for the attendees, during which congratulatory speeches were delivered by Professor Thomas Hirth, vice-president of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, His Excellency Mr Ryuta Mizuuchi, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Austria, and Mr Gero Hemker, head of the International Affairs Team for Strategy and Partnerships of Universität Hamburg.
