A conferment ceremony took place at Osaka University (OU) on 3 March 2023 to award an honorary degree to Dr. Raymond L. Rodriguez of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). The honorary degree was officially conferred on 16 June 2021; however, the ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Shojiro NISHIO, President, and Dr. Genta KAWAHARA, Executive Vice President of Global Engagement, among other academic and administrative staff of OU. The ceremony served as a warm reunion between Dr. Rodriguez and OU members who have had a long working relationship and friendship.

Dr. Rodriguez was appointed as a visiting faculty member at OU’s Graduate School of Engineering more than 30 years ago during which he has served as an indispensable liaison between the two universities. Since 2011, he has visited OU almost every year to give lectures and seminars, enhancing the global literacy of OU students and early-career faculty members. He has also facilitated the international exchange of students and researchers. The establishment of the strategic partnership agreement between UC Davis and OU in January 2021 was a result of Dr. Rodriguez’s support as well. In 2021, an honorary degree was awarded in recognition of his exceptional contributions to OU’s education and research.

Full biography of Dr. Raymond L. Rodriguez (UC Davis website)