On 1 July, a rare sunny day during the rainy season, the 2016 Kyoto University Fund donor appreciation day took place at the Clock Tower Centennial Hall with 107 people attending.
The event, the third since it began in 2014, was comprised of a reporting session, lecture, and reception.
After President Juichi Yamagiwa greeted the crowd and shared the latest University news, the reporting session began with Professor Yoshihiro Tokuga, vice-president for fund administration and alumni affairs, describing the KU Fund's current budget and spending plans. The vice-president then introduced the Student Projects for Enhancing Creativity (SPEC), a funding program launched last year to support student initiatives. Six projects had been selected for 2015-2016 funding from among 26 applications, and representatives of two of these initiatives came on stage to thank the supporters. The students also shared updates on their projects; one team reported that they had registered for an international competition, and the other announced that they had decided on the destinations of the study tour they were organizing for medical students.
The lecture was delivered by Graduate School of Science Professor Kazutoshi Mori, who has received numerous scientific awards, including the 2014 Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, also known as the "American Nobel", and the 2016 Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy. In his talk, entitled "My Research Career and Kyoto University", Professor Mori reflected on his work experience and discussed ongoing research in his lab on the unfolded protein response. Audience comments included: "I never imagined that our cells are equipped to detect protein abnormalities."
The reception was held on the second floor in the International Conference Hall, where attendees were greeted by the President and executive vice-presidents as well as faculty and staff involved in KU Fund-supported projects. The visitors mingled with the KU officials and with each other in a casual atmosphere; they also toured the booths for special-purpose funds, and interacted with the researchers and students as they introduced their research and activities.
Feedback comments included, "The student projects sounded really unique and intriguing. I will consider supporting one," and "I am looking forward to what the University will do next with its Fund."
KU Fund donor appreciation days are opportunities for Kyoto University to convey gratitude to supporters as well as to share goals, ongoing efforts, and spending plans. The University is open to feedback regarding its visions and ensuring that the Fund will continue to serve as its foundation for growth.
From left: President Yamagiwa, Vice-President Tokuga, and Professor Mori
Mr Shinji Asonuma, executive vice-president for industry-government-academia collaboration, making a toast
Professor Shinsuke Kawazoe, executive vice-president for student affairs and library services, greeting the supporters
A SPEC-supported student team showcasing its invention -- a method to remove intestinal norovirus using genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria
A SPEC-supported student team showcasing its invention -- a method to remove intestinal norovirus using genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria
Presentation on a SPEC project: "Global Health Study Tour for Tomorrow's Medical Doctors"
Reception
Related link
- Kyoto University Fund
http://www.en.kikin.kyoto-u.ac.jp/
