On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the annual ceremony for the 2026 Tohoku University International Awards and International Alumni Association Award was held at Tohoku University Centennial Hall (Kawauchi Hagi Hall) as part of this year’s Homecoming Day celebrations.

On stage, Vice President Fumihiko Imamura introduced the awardees and their achievements, while President Teiji Tominaga presented the awards. The ceremony was attended by a large audience of faculty members, students, alumni, as well as family members and friends of the recipients.

In his congratulatory speech, President Tominaga emphasized that the recipients’ activities embody Tohoku University’s philosophy and mission of contributing to society through excellence in education and research. He expressed his sincere respect and gratitude for their accomplishments around the world and highlighted the importance of their continued support for the University’s future development as it heads toward its 120th anniversary next year.

This year’s distinguished awardees came from all over the world. In the Individual Category of the International Award, the recipients were Ms. Jemima Kibira (Kenya), Technical Lead and Co-founder of Afya Reach Limited; Dr. Ramsey Lundock (United States), International Publications Editor at the Public Relations Center of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan; and Prof. Mu-Chang Shieh (Taiwan), a distinguished chemical engineer and nuclear science expert who continues to be active in education and research at universities in Taiwan.

For the Science and Technology Award, the honoree was Prof. Yiguang Ju (United States), Robert Porter Patterson Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University and Distinguished Professor at the Institute of Fluid Science of Tohoku University.

For the Special Award, the recipient was Prof. Fumio Ohuchi (United States), Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington and Specially Appointed Professor (Visiting) for the Global Strategy Office at Tohoku University.

Finally, for the International Alumni Association Award, the winning association was the Indonesian Alumni Association of Tohoku University (IATU), represented by Dr. Muhammad Rifqi.

(Article: Winners Announcement of Tohoku University International Award and International Alumni Association Award )

After the award ceremony, the six awardees participated in the Homecoming Day reception, where President Tominaga once again praised their achievements. The awardees then gave speeches at the reception, which was attended by more than 70 people.

Moderated by International Exchange Officer Mr. Davide Bitti, they shared anecdotes from their time at Tohoku University and spoke about their many years of dedication to building bridges between their home countries and Japan, particularly through their connections with Tohoku University.

The reception began with a heartfelt toast by Executive Vice President Toshiya Ueki, who also introduced and explained the logo for the University’s 120th anniversary to the guests.

Many friends, professors, and mentors from the awardees’ time at Tohoku University also joined the celebration, giving them a valuable opportunity to meet again in Sendai. It was a meaningful occasion for the awardees to reconnect with the people who had made their time at Tohoku University so special.

The joyful event concluded with a traditional “Date Ipponjime” led by Vice President Imamura.

We are already looking forward to next year’s edition, which we hope to make especially memorable as we celebrate Tohoku University’s 120th anniversary. See you in 2027!