"In accordance with the deliberations of the Board of Directors of Université Grenoble Alpes, and in view of the favorable opinion of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, I have the honor, on behalf of our academic community, to confer upon you the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of Université Grenoble Alpes and to present you with the insignia, the epitome and the diploma."

On 12 October 2023, after speeches given in their honour by their sponsors, President of Université Grenoble Alpes Yassine Lakhnech, officially awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Katsuhiro Akimoto, Tania C. de Araujo-Jorge, Wen-Chang, Chen, Reinhard Genzel, Mona Nemer and Dame Louise Richardson.

Watch the whole ceremony on UGA’s Youtube channel.

UGA’s new Doctors Honoris Causa

The title of Doctor Honoris Causa is one of the most prestigious distinctions awarded by French universities. Since 1918, this honorary title has been awarded to "personalities of foreign nationality for distinguished services rendered to the arts, letters, sciences and techniques, to France or to the institution which awards the title".

Katsuhiro Akimoto
Professor in Applied Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, Japan Professor at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, Katsuhiro Akimoto is an internationally recognized expert in the study of new semiconductors. His contribution has helped elucidate the mechanisms involved in many important components such as LEDs and solar cells, both essential elements for meeting today’s societal challenges. Learn more.

Tania C. de Araujo-Jorge
Director of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, professor in Public Health and Parasitolgy, Brazil Tania C. de Araujo-Jorge is an internationally recognized researcher in the field of parasitic diseases. Health, Education, Science and Art: for this Brazilian public health specialist, transdisciplinary and Science are concurrently essential elements to help face social inequalities. Learn more.

Wen-Chang Chen
President of the National Taiwan University, professor of Chemical Engineering, Taiwan Professor Wen-Chang Chen is world-renowned for his research in functional materials, particularly in electronic and optoelectronic polymers, and their integration into bio-nanoelectronic devices. Hybrid materials with remarkable properties and a wide range of promising applications. Learn more.

Reinhard Genzel
Nobel Prize in Physics, professor of Astrophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, director of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Germany Nobel Prize laureate in Physics in 2020 for the discovery of a super-massive compact object at the center of our galaxy, Reinhard Genzel is a world-renowned researcher, notably in the astrophysics of active galactic nuclei, massive black holes and experimental infrared, submillimeter and millimeter astronomy. Learn more.

Mona Nemer
Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, professor of Molecular Cardiology at the University of Ottawa, Canada Mona Nemer is a distinguished scientist and the Chief Science Advisor of Canada. With her extensive expertise in bioorganic chemistry, she provides valuable guidance and advice to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on all science-related matters. Learn more.

Louise Richardson
President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, professor of Political Science at Oxford University, United Kingdom A political scientist by training, Dame Louise Richardson is recognized internationally as an expert on terrorism and counterterrorism. Vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford and of the University of St. Andrews, she is currently president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, the philanthropic foundation established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911. Learn more.

A look back at the ceremony in pictures

An official ceremony and talks open to the general public

Imagine the materials of tomorrow to meet the challenges of the 21st century, explore the Universe to discover uncharted celestial objects, develop diagnostics and new drugs to combat disease, educate and empower public health to combat social inequalities, rethink our political systems in the face of terrorism, and put Science at the heart of public action.…

Held in the Louis Weil Amphitheatre on the Saint-Martin-d'Hères - Gières campus, the ceremony was attended by the Sous-préfet of Isère, the Taiwan's Diplomatic Representative in France, the 2nd Secretary of the Brazilian Embassy in France, the Consul General of Ireland, the Vice-Consul of Japan and the Honorary Consul of Canada in Lyon, and was an opportunity for the university community to discover the research of the six new Honorary Doctors of the UGA through their scientific presentations.