Kazuo OIKE
As president of Kyoto University I would like to express my hearty congratulations to Dr. Jane Goodall upon being awarded the eleventh honorary doctorate of Kyoto University. On behalf of the university I would like to say that we greatly appreciate your attending this ceremony.
This is really only the third honorary doctorate of Kyoto University, because until the end of 2002, honorary doctorates were conferred by respective graduate schools. Thus far, therefore, we have one honorary doctorate of science, three doctorates of engineering, three doctorates of medicine, two doctorates of agriculture, and three honorary doctorates of Kyoto University.
I know many key persons have made great efforts to prepare today's ceremony. Without the devoted efforts of Dr. Tetsuro Matsuzawa, this honorary doctorate award would not have been possible. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Genichi Idani who made numerous arrangements to invite many of today's important attendees.
As is well known, a dedication to field work is an important element in the history of Kyoto University, and the Primate Research Institute is a key center for the university's field sciences. I believe that the most important factors in successful field work endeavors are a sharp-eyed power of observation and the dedication and endurance required to stay in the field. Dr. Jane Goodall has these qualities in abundance.
In 1958 Dr. Kinji Imanishi and his colleagues were in Africa for their field study of great apes, just two years before Dr. Goodall arrived in Africa to begin her study of wild chimpanzees. In 1967, the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University was established as a national and international research center to promote the study of primates.
I sincerely hope that the awarding of this honorary doctorate to Dr. Goodall will contribute to successful integration among the science fields of Kyoto University, and will inspire the university's young researchers and students to even greater efforts in their work. In particular, it is my sincere hope that many women scientists will be motivated to follow the path that Dr. Goodall has paved.
The JGI ( the Jane Goodall Institute) which was founded by Dr. Goodall, empowers individuals to take informed and compassionate action to improve the environment for all living things. Dr. Genichi Idani is executive director of the JGI-Japan, which was established in 2001 as the 12th JGI.
Kyoto University states its mission as being to sustain and develop its historical commitment to academic freedom, and to pursue harmonious coexistence within human and ecological community on this planet.
I believe that the visions held by the JGI and Kyoto University have much in common with regards to the welfare of the Earth, and I sincerely hope that there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future.
Finally I would like to wish Dr. Goodall continuing success and happiness, and I'd like to thank you all for attending the ceremony today.
Thank you very much.