We warmly welcome Mr. Masatoshi Ueno, Chair of San Francisco Rakuyukai, which is the Kyoto University alumni association in North SF. Mr. Ueno is a proud alum of Kyoto University, majoring in material science. He serves as Vice President of the Board and will help us expand and strengthen the network in San Francisco and Bay Area.
Now, all chairs of the three major alumni associations in the U.S. have joined our Board. As we aim to expand our work to further promote Kyoto University’s international educational and research activities, building strong relationships with alumni is a vital step. This addition will also enable us to operate our Kingfisher Global Leadership Program with more robust support in SF and Bay Area.
At the same time, it is bittersweet to announce the departure of Ms. Rika Okayama, the inaugural Executive Director. Ms. Okayama launched the Shida Scholarship Program in 2023 and it has awarded thirteen outstanding scholars since then. Her dedicated work has established the foundation of what the Kyodai Collaborative is today.
It is our pleasure to welcome a new Executive Director, Ms. Nanako Tojo, who is an alumna of the Faculty of Law and the Kingfisher Global Leadership Program. Working at Kyoto University for over six years, she has rich experience in event and program management for students, alumni, donors, and the public. Ms. Tojo just graduated from The George Washington University with a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration, where she focused on international higher education and social justice efforts on campus. During her study, she interned at Kyodai Collaborative and learned about the organization and daily operation. Leveraging academic and practical expertise, she will lead the organization with a strong commitment to its mission.
Last but certainly not least, we appreciate all the supporters who contributed to this expansion and transition. Our programs have become possible thanks to your support, and we truly appreciate your continuous support
