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Tohoku University's international alumni and students had their annual get-together on December 10 at Aobayama Campus. The event also honoured the winners of this year's International Awards and International Alumni Association Award.

The award recipients, who returned to Sendai as special guests for the event, shared memories of their university days with an audience that comprised many international students. They also spoke of their personal and career achievements since graduating, offering inspiring anecdotes and advice in a discussion moderated by fellow alumnus Davide Bitti.

International Merit Award recipient Pelonomi Moiloa remembered fondly the activities she helped to organise as a member of the Tohoku University Foreign Students Association (TUFSA) and the African Association of Miyagi (AFAM). Since graduating in 2019, she has started her own company Lelapa AI, a research and product lab that develops technology for African languages. Time magazine has also named her one of the top 100 leaders in artificial intelligence development worldwide.

Pedro B.F. Hsu, chairman of Fortune Electric Co., Ltd, also received the International Merit Award for his success in Taiwan's power equipment sector and for being an industry leader in green energy. As the founder of the Taiwan Alumni Association, Hsu has been an integral figure in promoting relations between Taiwan and Tohoku University. "Getting this award is truly a proud and meaningful moment for me," he said, adding that his entire family had travelled to Sendai from Taiwan and the US to attend the ceremony with him.

The Science and Technology Award went to Chen Lidong, a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, for his work on thermoelectrics, a promising technology for combating global warming. Chen spoke of his colleagues and professors at Tohoku University, with whom he went fishing and skiing and experienced many of Sendai's traditional festivals.

For the third consecutive year, the Indonesian Alumni Association (IATU) won the International Alumni Association Award for its strong efforts in cultivating ties between former (and future) students and the university.

Special awards were also given to Jerome B. Hastings, a research professor at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, for his contributions to the realisation of NanoTerasu Light Source on Tohoku University's Aobayama campus. And to Terumi Tanaka, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Tohoku University professor, for his tireless activism against nuclear weapons. Tanaka and Hastings were unable to attend the ceremony but will receive their awards at a later date.

In his congratulatory speech, Tohoku University President Teiji Tominaga thanked the recipients for their positive efforts in promoting the university's presence abroad.

"From A.I. technology to electrical industry and thermoelectric engineering, you have worked towards solving some of the most critical global challenges we face," he said. "And in doing so, you embody Tohoku University's proud philosophy of contributing to society through excellent education and research."

He added that the university's recent accreditation as Japan's first University for International 虎扑电竞 Excellence is a result of this long-standing commitment to fostering global talent.

The evening ended with a dinner reception and a lively networking session. It was also an opportunity for alumni to catch up with their former professors and each other.

"It's great to be back, and always impressive to hear from our alumni," said Andi Holik Ramdani, an alumnus from Indonesia who graduated from Tohoku University in 2021. "Pelonomi's speech was especially impactful because she is young and already has her own company that is contributing globally. I think many current students who are thinking about how they can make a difference to society, will find her message inspiring."

This annual get-together for international alumni is organized by the Tohoku University Alumni Network. The Network is open to all current and past members of the university. It offers news and access to special events, and it is free to join.