Skip to main content

Friends of UTokyo, Inc.

EVENTS

EVENTS

Upcoming Events

Event Information:

  • Fri
    09
    Aug
    2024

    How Can the University of Tokyo Expand Its Influence Globally?

    8:30PM-9:30PM ETONLINE
    FUTI FIRESIDE CHAT SERIES- 2
     Title: How Can The University of Tokyo Expand Its Influence Globally?
    [東大が世界的に影響力を拡大していくためには？]
    Aug 9, 2024, Friday, 8.30pm-9.30pm+ (EDST) [Saturday, Aug 10, 9.30am~10.30am+, Japan] ONLINE
    Friends of UTokyo is pleased to present this online dialogue featuring three distinguished alumni: Professor Iwao Ojima, Mr. Ko-Yung Tung and Ms. Eri Furusawa. Dr. Ojima is an internationally renowned scientist and the Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Prof. Ko-Yung Tung is Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, was the Senior Vice President of the World Bank and partner at major international law firms. Ms. Eri Furusawa is an HR&A professional, an urban planner, and supports public- and private-sector clients on issues of equitable governance, inclusive community engagement, and climate change. Prof. Geeta Mehta will chair this event with Dr. Masako Osako facilitating the optional social gathering section. (All bios are at this page).
    This event is part of a series created to bring together UTokyo international alumni for encouraging dialogues among UTokyo alumni and friends.
    Abstract:
    The University of Tokyo is committed to serving the global public as outlined in the University charter. Under the leadership of the former President Gonokami in 2017, the University of Tokyo created the Future Society Initiatives (FSI) and has undertaken a variety of measures, including “the expansion of diversity and inclusiveness, the international visibility of UTokyo's potential, and the fostering of human resources capable of leading GX (green transformation)." Under the leadership of the current President, Prof. Fujii, the University has launched an initiative to establish a “College of Design” (tentative name) as part of its efforts to "create a model university for the 21st Century". Capitalizing on the extensive and diverse international experience of participating alumni, we expect to come up with deeper insight into the initiative as well as suggestions as to how alumni may help the university’s efforts, which will be conveyed to the office of the President Fujii.
    Format:          Zoom invite will be sent to people who RSVP
    Language:      English (panel discussion), English and Japanese (Q and A)
    RSVP:             Please RSVP by August 6 using the online registration form (https://forms.gle/BeR98krRYjCvcUGd8) or email info [at] friendsofutokyo.org  with 1) your name, 2) email address, 3) major and year of graduation at Tokyo, 4) current affiliation, 5) questions for the presenters.
    Organizer:      Friends of UTokyo (www.friendsofutokyo.org)
    Co-sponsors: Satsuki-kai America, FUTI Alumni Association (to be confirmed) and others
    Note: Photos taken during the session may be used in FUTI’s online and offline publications. Please inform the organizer prior to the lecture if you do not wish to be included in the photos.

     

Past Events

Event Information:

  • Fri
    23
    Jan
    2026

    PROF.TAKATOSHI ITO MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES- 1: “Ancient Origin of an Urban Underground Mosquito” by Yuki Haba, PhD

    9:00PM-10:00PM ETOnline

    Friends of UTokyo is pleased to present an online lecture/dialogue by Dr. Yuki Haba, an award-winning evolutionary biologist and currently a Leon Levy Scholar in Neuroscience at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. Dr. Haba has already received numerous professional awards, despite completing his PhD only recently, in 2023.

    This is the inaugural talk in a new lecture series created in memory of Professor Takatoshi Ito, a prominent international political scientist formerly at School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. (https://www.friendsofutokyo.org/en/in-memoriam-former-futi-director-prof-takatoshi-ito/) The series aims to highlight promising early-stage professionals and provide opportunities for younger generations of FUTI alumni to learn from their work, perspectives, and career experiences. It also seeks to encourage spirited dialogue, and help foster a supportive professional network. We expect the lecture/dialogue to be held annually, either in person or online.

    Dr. Iwao Ojima, president of FUTI and University Distinguished Professor, Stony Brook University – State University of New York, will give an opening remark. Following Dr. Haba’s talk, there will be ample time for Q&A.

    Dr. Haba’s talk will be based on his article recently published in Science. It has been reported widely in major media including Nikkei and CNN.

    https://reskill.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOLM163L60W5A011C2000000/

    いつから蚊は人類の敵に？　進化の定説を覆した生命科学者、サイエンスに論文掲載

    https://www.cnn.co.jp/fringe/35239645.html

    「ロンドン地下鉄の蚊」の起源、通説より大幅に古い可能性　新研究

     

    ABSTRACT

    “Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito,” in Science.  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ady4515

    Date/Time:          January 23, 2026, Friday, 9pm-10.00pm+ (ET)

    Format:                Zoom invite will be sent to those who RSVP

    Language:            English for the lecture and English and Japanese for the Q and A.

    Cost:                      Free

    RSVP:                    Required. Please RSVP by  Tuesday, January 21, 2026 by emailing info [at] friendsofutokyo.org with 1) your name, 2) email address, 3) major and year of graduation at Tokyo, 4) current affiliation, 5) questions for the presenters.

    Organizer:           Friends of UTokyo (www.friendsofutokyo.org)

    Co-sponsors:      Satsuki-kai America, FUTI Alumni Association, and other UTokyo alumni associations

    Photos:                Photos taken during the session may be used in FUTI’s online and offline publications. Please inform the organizer prior to the lecture if you do not wish to be included in the photos.

     

    Bio of Dr. Haba:

    Yuki Haba, Ph.D., is an evolutionary biologist passionate about understanding how and why diverse behaviors evolve in nature. He is currently a Leon Levy Scholar in Neuroscience at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. He aims to take multi-disciplinary approaches, combining genomics, neuroethology, and field-based behavioral ecology to comprehensively understand the evolution of behavior. Yuki completed his PhD at Princeton, MA at Columbia, and undergraduate degree at the University of Tokyo.

    Personal webpage: https://yukihaba.github.io/