Nobel Laureate Prof. Tasuku Honjo Awarded NTU Honorary Doctorate

In a distinguished ceremony hosted at Kyoto University (KU), President Wen-Chang Chen of National Taiwan University (NTU) bestowed the Honorary Doctor of Medicine degree upon Prof. Tasuku Honjo.

Distinguished attendees from NTU included Former President Pan-Chyr Yang, Executive Vice-President Shan-Chwen Chang, and Dean of NTU College of Medicine Yen-Hsuan Ni. Representing KU were Executive Vice-President for Research Promotion Susumu Kitagawa, Dean of KU Faculty of Medicine Tadashi Isa, and Director-General of KU Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS) Shigefumi Mori. The ceremony was conducted with grace and warmth, marking a significant milestone in academic collaboration and recognition.

Prof. Tasuku Honjo stands as a preeminent figure in the field of immunology, credited with pioneering advancements in cancer immunotherapy. Currently serving as a Specially-Appointed Professor at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Prof. Honjo holds esteemed positions as the Deputy Director-General and Distinguished Professor of KUIAS, and Director of the Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology (CCII) at KU.

His groundbreaking work in the 1980s introduced the conceptual framework for immunoglobulin class switching and genetic variation modeling. Notably, in 1992, Prof. Honjo identified the pivotal role of PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1) in activating T lymphocytes. This seminal discovery laid the foundation for immunotherapy, revolutionizing cancer treatment and offering renewed hope against this formidable disease. His outstanding contributions were recognized with the Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science in 2014, and further acclaimed with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2018, shared with Prof. James P. Allison.

President Chen lauded Prof. Honjo’s unparalleled expertise in immunology and his unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Prof. Honjo’s innovative approach to cancer treatment transcends the boundaries of oncology, significantly impacting medical science at large. His dedication to research and transformative influence on society exemplify the highest standards of academic achievement. Concluding the ceremony’s pinnacle, President Chen presented Prof. Honjo with the NTU Honorary Doctor of Medicine degree under the “National Taiwan University Directives for the Conferment of Honorary Doctorates”, marking a historic first for a Japanese citizen to receive this accolade from NTU.

Prof. Honjo was overwhelmed by NTU’s appreciation for his work, and felt very honored to accept Honorary Doctorate Degree from National Taiwan University. He also expressed his sincere sympathy for the earthquake in Hualien early April. He recalled visiting Hualien in 2016, when he was impressed by its beautiful nature and found true relaxation there. He wishes quick recovery for affected people and the reconstruction of their communities. "Taiwan and Japan are very close to each other and share many problems and many merits. NTU and KU must now deepen academic collaboration for future advancement. Let’s nurture our friendship even deeper and maintain this good relationship for our next generation” said Prof. Honjo.

NTU and KU share a longstanding strategic partnership, fortified by 58 collaborative agreements since 2005 and joint research initiatives spanning 14 areas. These academic collaborations have fostered vibrant exchanges between faculty and students, enriching both institutions' academic landscapes. The Memorandum on Strategic Partnership signed in 2023 further strengthens this alliance, facilitating mutual visits and exchanges among faculty and students. Committed to fostering cross-border education and research collaborations, NTU and KU aim to deepen their strategic alliance and collectively contribute to the global academic community.