Prof.Han-Joong Kim Awarded Honorary Degree of Doctor

A ceremony to confer honorary degree of doctor upon Prof.Han-Joong Kim was held from 14:00p.m. on October 5 at Public Speaking Hall, Mita Campus.

After Prof.Kim proceeded to the doctoral program in the Seoul National University Graduate School to gain his Ph.D. in 1984, and was appointed Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health of Yonsei University in 1998, he was appointed to his current position as the sixteenth president of Yonsei University in 2008. Prof.Kim is a world leader in research in public health and in health care policy and management, and also, he has pushed ahead with innovative reform of the university's management as a president of Yonsei University.

The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Masato Yasui of School of Medicine, and with the songs by Wagner Society Chorus, Prof.Kim walked into the hall. Following the reading of the citation for Prof.Kim by the Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof.Makoto Suematsu, President Atsushi Seike presented the diploma of Doctor of Medicine, honoris causa to Prof.Kim. President Seike delivered an address, and in response, Prof.Kim showed his appreciation to Keio University with profluent Japanese and gave a lecture. Although it was raining at the ceremony day, audiences gathered and listened to his lecture enthusiastically. After the ceremony, reception in honor of Prof.Kim was hald at North Building in a relaxed atmosphere.

Yonsei University and Keio University have developed a wide-ranging and deep exchange relationship including the exchange of students and faculty members, the implementation of a double degree program, and the establishment of offices on each other's campuses. In November 2008, Prof.Kim attended Keio's 150th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony and gave a congratulatory speech. Also, In April 2011, Yonsei University kindly engaged in fundraising and gave a donation to Kei ofor students affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.