At a ceremony on 29 September 2014, Kyoto University conferred the title of Honorary Fellow on Mr Tetsuro Funai, Representative Director and Chairman of Funai Electric Company, after finalization of the proposal to honor the entrepreneur on 8 September.
Kyoto University's Honorary Fellowship program is dedicated to recognizing 1) individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the University's international exchanges, 2) former students or faculty/staff members of the University recognized nationally or internationally for their achievements, and 3) individuals who have made significant contributions to Kyoto University's operations and management.
Mr Funai is the University's fourth Honorary Fellow. The Fellowship was first awarded on 15 April 2013 to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and subsequently to Dr Kazuo Inamori, Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation and President of the Inamori Foundation, and the late Mr Hiroshi Yamauchi, then advisor to Nintendo Co Ltd, both of whom assumed the title on 28 August of the same year.
Mr Funai was awarded the Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Kyoto University's operations and management.
At the ceremony, after presenting the certificate and plaque, Kyoto University President Hiroshi Matsumoto expressed his gratitude by saying, "Mr Funai has contributed not only to Kyoto University but also Japan, and his support for our researchers and students is greatly appreciated." In turn, Mr Funai responded by saying, "I pledge to further devote myself to the pursuit of research and contribute to Kyoto University, living up to the title of Honarary Fellow. I sincerely hope from the bottom of my heart that Kyoto University will continue to foster global leaders who leave a lasting legacy."
The ceremony concluded with a group picture taken with Vice-Presidents and other KU officials. President Matsumoto and Mr Funai also responded to questions at a press conference.
Mr Tetsuro Funai, Representative Director and Chairman of Funai Electric Company
The plaque presented to Mr Funai
Mr Funai, right, receiving his Honorary Fellowship Certificate from President Matsumoto
Commemorative photo
