Opening address for Inauguration for iCeMS - Feb 19, 2008 -
Kazuo OIKE
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
It is my privilege to say a few words on behalf of the faculty and staff of Kyoto University on this occasion of the opening ceremony for the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, the iCeMS.
The iCeMS was established on Oct. 1, 2007 as one of five research centers adopted for inclusion in the World Premier International Research Center Initiative by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The objective of the iCeMS is to create a new generation of technologies for the promotion of human health and welfare by developing meso-control science and stem cell research through an interdisciplinary approach.
This interdisciplinary approach, which combines the disciplines of chemistry, physics and cell biology, is one of the features that iCeMS is proud of. These are fields in which Kyoto University has a special strength, as has been evidenced by the five Nobel laureates that the university has produced. We strongly anticipate, therefore, that the iCeMS will make remarkable progress in its research under the leadership of its founding director, Prof. Norio Nakatsuji.
When adopting our proposal, the WPI Program Committee made the following evaluation:
“The introduction of the meso-space concept into the field is significant, and iPS cells are expected to play an important role in regenerative medicine. The researchers included in the proposal are the leaders in their fields. Therefore, it is highly possible that this proposal will create a ‘globally visible research center.’”
A part of these high expectations has already been met by the research group of Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, one of the senior researchers of the iCeMS, who successfully created human iPS cells.
In addition, Prof. Hiroshi Imahori, another principal researcher of the iCeMS, was awarded the 2007 NISTEP Prize, the award of MEXT’s National Institute of Science and Technology Policy. This is also a prize awarded to researchers who have made notable contributions to the science and technology fields. These awards highlight some of the remarkable achievements of the iCeMS researchers and illustrate the splendid start that iCeMS has made.
In our WPI proposal, I made the following commitment:
“In its mission statement, Kyoto University declares its commitment to pursue harmonious coexistence within human and ecological community on this planet. As part of that commitment, we are determined to promote this program and take the responsible, concrete measures required - such as adapting research organizations and providing resources - to create a world top-level research center within Kyoto University.”
I would like to conclude my speech by asking all of you here to also lend your support to this newly created institute so that it can become a truly world premier research center.
Thank you.