To honor excellent results by young researchers, university presents them the Award for Okayama University Young Top Researchers.

On October 31, an awards ceremony was held in the President’s office to present the award to Associate Professor Masahiro Kozuka of the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Faculty of Law), winner in the liberal arts category; and Associate Professor Michihiro Suga of the Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, winner in the science category.

Associate Professor Kozuka received the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ academic award for his authorship of the book “Zeihou-jou no Haitou Gainen no Tenkai to Kadai” (Development of the Dividend Concept and Related Issues in Tax Law). Among other things, he has also received the WIDE Award for research and development of Internet transport technology, and is highly appraised for his activities in a wide range of fields.

Associate Professor Suga was the first person worldwide to elucidate the precise crystal structure of two enzymes involved in photosynthesis, and has had his papers published in Nature and Science magazines. He is also highly regarded as the recipient of many awards such as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Young Scientists’ Prize.

Aiming to foster young researchers who can play an active role internationally, Okayama University established the above-named award in fiscal year 2007. The screening is conducted carefully within the university to determine recipients on the basis of actual results, ability to acquire external funding, evaluations of future potential and other merits.