Okayama University’s first Honorary Doctorate was awarded to Dr Eiichi Negishi one of the co-winners of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Herbert C. Brown Distinguished Professor of Organic Chemistry at Purdue University during a ceremony held March 23, 2011 at Tsushima Campus, Okayama University. Dr Negishi received his Honorary Doctorate from Okayama University President Kyozo Chiba.

Dr Negishi’s four lectures that he has given at Okayama University since 2005 on research into systems for the efficient development of advanced organic materials were extolled by the independent Honorary Doctorate committee and prompted them to nominate Dr Negishi for the award.

The Okayama University Honorary Doctorate was established in 2009 to recognize outstanding contributions to research and education at Okayama University.

Following the Honorary Doctorate ceremony Dr Negishi gave a special lecture “Continue with a Dream” at the Okayama city Hotel Granvia for an audience of 1000 residents, students and other interested parties.

Dr Negishi revealed that the factors that set him on the path from being a Japanese student in the United States to an esteemed leading researcher were “Health,” “Partners,” “Interests” and “Work.” “Find life work that you have a passion for and a good mentor” was Dr Negishi’s message. “It is a great honour to be awarded this Honorary Doctorate” Dr Negishi also remarked. “From now I would like to give an annual lecture to guide students towards becoming researchers so that Okayama University can become first rank” Dr Negishi continued.

Photograph: Okayama University President Kyozo Chiba (left), Dr Eiichi Negishi (right)

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