RIKEN and UoL celebrate relationship with joint symposium, honorary degree

RIKEN and the University of Liverpool (UoL) held the third in a series of joint symposiums on July 18, 2013, at the University of Liverpool in England. RIKEN president Ryoji Noyori was awarded an honorary degree at a graduation ceremony.

RIKEN’s ties to UoL go back to January 2009, when a memorandum of understanding for cooperative research was signed by the RIKEN SPring-8 Center and the University of Liverpool. The agreement covered the use of RIKEN’s X-ray free electron laser for research in molecular biology and physics.

Later, in October 2010, RIKEN and UoL signed a general agreement and a strategic agreement on International Program Associates (IPAs), doctoral candidates participating in RIKEN’s joint graduate school program. The two institutions have since strengthened their relationship through various activities, including hosting of IPA graduate students at RIKEN laboratories.

In addition to President Noyori, nine researchers from various RIKEN centers participated in the joint symposium. Staff from RIKEN’s Global Relations and Research Coordination Office also took the opportunity to introduce RIKEN’s programs for junior scientists.

On the morning of July 19, UoL conferred President Noyori with an honorary degree in a graduation ceremony attended by the vice-chancellor, many graduating students and their families. Researchers attending the symposium had a chance to visit laboratories and hold small-group discussions focusing on further exchanges and joint research projects.