On December 10, 2025, Okayama University awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree to Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, India. The conferment ceremony was held on November 12 in Kolkata, West Bengal, and marked the first time the university has bestowed this honour on an Asian woman.

The honorary doctorate was conferred in recognition of Chief Minister Banerjee’s long-standing and outstanding contributions to education, public health, and welfare, particularly with a focus on women, children, and vulnerable social groups. Her efforts to promote social inclusion, expand educational opportunities, and improve medical services were highly regarded as significant steps toward building a sustainable society.

At the ceremony, President NASU Yasutomo handed the honorary doctorate certificate to Chief Minister Banerjee before an audience of approximately 2,000 government officials, educators, and citizens. President Nasu said, “When I attended the Bengal Global Business Summit 2025 in Kolkata last February, I was deeply moved by your heartfelt message to the people and your strong vision for the future. I sincerely hope today’s conferment becomes a symbol of friendship and cooperation between Japan and India, and between Okayama University and West Bengal.”

In her acceptance speech, Chief Minister Banerjee expressed her gratitude, saying, “I dedicate this honour to the ‘Mother, Land, and People (Ma, Mati, Manush)’ of Bengal. With deep humility and heartfelt thanks, I accept this distinction. The bonds between Bengal and Japan are rooted in deep cultural and historical connections, represented by such luminaries as Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Rash Behari Bose, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Education and culture transcend politics, unite hearts, and strengthen humanity. I thank everyone from Okayama for your warm hospitality and friendship.”

This honorary doctorate represents a significant milestone, reaffirming the trust between Okayama University and West Bengal, and underscoring the university’s growing international presence. Moving forward, Okayama University plans to strategically deepen academic and cultural collaboration not only with its partner university in Kolkata, but also with other institutions throughout West Bengal. The university aims to contribute to the development of education and research in both India and Japan through increased exchange of students and faculty.

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