The 2019 Research Grant Presentation Ceremony in U.S.A. was held at Hotel Nikko San Francisco on September 12, 2019.
This year, as did in previous years, the Okawa Foundation awarded research grants to 8 creative, innovative and applicable research projects in the field of information and telecommunications, nominated from major 6 US universities (UC Berkeley, Stanford University, UCLA, University of Southern California, California Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University). At the Research Grant Presentation Ceremony, 10,000 US dollar-grant was awarded to each recipient.
With honorable guests, including Dupty Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco and a few of Okawa Prize winners, we also welcomed research grant recipients and their spouses, deans and department chairs from each university who nominated recipients, representatives from organizations involved in exchanges between U.S.A and Japan at the ceremony.
The Research Grant Presentation Ceremony was conducted smoothly in a friendly atmosphere. It started with screening the introducing film of the Okawa Foundation and an opening address by Dr. Takayasu Okushima, President. Mr. Hiroshi Akuto, Chairman of the research grant selection committee explained selection process, and then Mr. Mitsuo Igarashi, Chairman presented grant and token to each recipient.
 “Opening Address” Dr. Takayasu Okushima, President
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 “Presentation of Grants” Mr. Mitsuo Igarashi, Chairman (Right) Dr. Bistra Dilkina, University of Southern California (Left) |
 “Explanation of Selection Process” Mr. Hiroshi Akuto, Chairman of the Grant Selection Committee |
As representatives of guests, Mr. Kazuhiro Iryu, Dupty Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, Dr. David E. Culler, the winner of Okawa Prize 2013, and Dr. Martin Kay, the winner of Okawa Prize 2019 gave messages of congratulation and encouragement to recipients.
 “Congratulatory Speech” Mr. Kazuhiro Iryu, Dupty Consul General of Japan in San Francisco |
 “Congratulatory Speech” Dr. David E. Culler, Professor of UC Berkeley |
 “Congratulatory Speech” Dr. Martin Kay, Professor Emeritus of Stanford University |
 “Closing Speech of the Ceremony” Mr. Takuji Matsumoto, Senior Managing Director |
The ceremony was successfully ended with message, by Mr. Takuji Matsumoto, Senior Managing Director, appreciation for cooperation in activities of the Okawa Foundation and towards future activities. Tokyo TV, a SF Bay Area broadcasting station reported the ceremony.
In the Dinner Party after the ceremony, researchers communicated with each other and actively exchanged opinions. Deans and department chairs from each university who nominated recipients gave congratulatory speeches. At last, Dr. Hideyuki Tokuda made a closing address.
 Research Grant recipients and their nominators |
 Dinner Party |
 “Closing Address” Dr. Hideyuki Tokuda, Vice Chairman of the Grant Selection Committee |
With the aim of advancing further development of information technology and promoting international academic and cultural exchanges, the Okawa Foundation will continue the activities of awarding prizes and research grants.