Prof. Helmut Ruessmann Awarded with Honorary Doctorate

Professor Helmut Ruessmann of Saarland University (Germany) was awarded with a Keio University honorary doctorate degree at a ceremony held at the Mita Public Speaking Hall on Wednesday, October 5.

Professor Ruessmann is active in a wide range of research fields, such as Civil Procedure, Civil Law, Legal Philosophy and Legal Informatics, and is a central figure in the field of Legal Informatics and Computer Law in Germany.

In addition to this, Professor Ruessman has also made significant contributions to academic exchange between Germany and Japan, especially in regard to the long-term development, consolidation and strengthening of the ties of scholarly friendship between Saarland University and Keio University. In recognition of these achievements, Professor Ruessman was awarded with an honorary doctorate.

The presentation ceremony was chaired by Professor Takehiko Mikami of the Keio Law School with Assistant Professor Philipp Osten from the Faculty of Law acting as interpreter. Following the reading of the letter of recommendation by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Masao Okonogi, President Anzai presented Professor Ruessmann with the award. The ceremony concluded with addresses from both President Anzai and Professor Ruessmann.

After the ceremony, Professor Ruessman gave a commemorative lecture entitled "Who Owns the Ring? - An Examination of Ownership of The Ring of the Nibelung" at the Distance Learning Room in the South Building. The Ring of the Nibelung (Der Ring des Nibelungen) is an epic series of operas by Wagner that includes the well-known "Ride of the Valkyries" and takes over thirteen hours to perform over a period of four days. The storyline revolves around a magic ring with the power to rule the world as it passes through the hands of various characters. In this unique lecture, Professor Ruessmann used elements of German humor to examine the changing ownership of the ring.