This spring, the Japanese government recognized two members of the OIST Board of Councilors and awarded them prestigious titles for their outstanding achievements in science and education throughout their lifetimes. Dr. Tisato Kajiyama, former president of Kyusyu University and now President and Chairman of Fukuoka Women’s University, has received the “Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure” for his long-time service in education, and for his great achievement as a polymer scientist. Dr. Eiki Senaha, President Emeritus of Meio University and Chairman of the Okinawa University Consortium, was awarded “The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” for his long-time service and distinguished achievement in research and education fields.
They are both part of the Board of Councilors which assumes an advisory role at OIST, making propositions for the management of the physical and financial assets at the university. It also supports the Board of Governors – the ultimate authority for the operation of OIST – and the President on taking decisions to steer the university in the most favorable directions. This system allows OIST to benefit from the wisdom and experience of external experts, and in return makes them ambassadors of the Graduate University.
These awards come in a string of praise for members of the OIST organization, with Distinguished Professor Sydney Brenner and Dr. Rita Colwell of the OIST Board of Governors receiving the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Vannevar Bush award this month, respectively.
Dr. Senaha is the current Chair of the Okinawa University Consortium and has a long history with education in Okinawa. Born in Nago, Okinawa, he studied his undergraduate and his PhD in the USA before coming back to teach at Okinawa University and University of the Ryukyus. He later moved to Meio University in Nago as Dean in 1994 before taking on the mantle of Vice-President in 1998 and finally managing the university as President from 2006 to 2014.
Dr. Kajiyama graduated from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Kyushu University in 1964 before completing a PhD at the University of Massachusetts in 1969. In 1984 he became a professor at the Faculty of Engineering back at Kyushu University, which he led as president from 2001 to 2008. After approximately three years as the director of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), he is now the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fukuoka Women’s University.
