On 20th July, a commemoration ceremony and party were held at the local hotel in Hiroshima city for the two graduate schools established on April 1st: Graduate School of Integrated Science for Life and Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Many distinguished guests participated in the event including Mr. Takeo Kawamura, Mr. Hiroshi Hiraguchi, and Mr. Masayoshi Shintani (all are the members of the House of Representatives); Mr. Akira Tamagami (Deputy Director-General, Higher Education Bureau);Mr. Kazumi Matsui (Mayor of Hiroshima city); and Mr. Hironori Takagi (Mayor of Higashi Hiroshima city).

During the commemoration ceremony, President Ochi outlined the reorganization roadmap of the 11 Graduate Schools including the establishment of the Graduate School of Integrated Science for Life and Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. He concluded his speech by saying, “To become a university of world-wide repute and splendor for years into the future, each member of the university will be united as one and continue to commit himself/herself to university reforms.”

Before holding the ceremony, Professor Tasuku Honjo (the Deputy Director-General and Distinguished Professor of Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study and a Noble laureate of Physiology or Medicine in 2018) gave a lecture entitled “Serendipities of Acquired Immunity”. About 400 people including high school students came to the venue, all listening to his lecture attentively.

In his lecture, Professor Honjo talked about the history of molecular immunology research in relation to his discovery which led to the awarding of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and pointed out the following: “Acquired immunity evolved in vertebrates as the defense system against pathogens. Consequently, the lifespan of vertebrates extended dramatically. Fortunately, cancer cells accumulate mutations and express neo antigens, which can also be recognized by acquired immunity.”

He also encouraged the students by saying “It is important to figure out by yourself what is an important issue as well as what you want to know most”.

After the lecture, President Ochi presented Dr. Honjo with the title of Honorary Professor of Hiroshima University, recognizing him for his many scientific achievements.