News

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Head office Tokyo, President Chihiro Kanagawa) has decided to appoint Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama, former president of the University of Tokyo, as a Special Adviser effective as of May 1.

Dr. Komiyama, not only in his own specialized academic research fields, but also in his years as president of the University of Tokyo, has contributed a great deal of important knowledge to society and has had an enormous amount of R&D and administrative leadership experience during his long and distinguished career. He is a person of the highest character, and Shin-Etsu Chemical is looking forward to receiving the benefit of his sage advice, particularly with regard to the fields of Shin-Etsu’s technologies and its long-term R&D goals.

In addition to Dr. Komiyama’s specialized knowledge in the field of chemical engineering, he is renowned for his knowledge and experience in broad areas of science and technology research including advanced material engineering, global environmental engineering and the structuring of knowledge. Under his leadership, the University of Tokyo established a Center for Knowledge Structuring, which is promoting cross-disciplinary research projects concerning “Knowledge Structuring.” From these perspectives, Shin-Etsu will receive his guidance regarding the company’s long-term R&D goals.

Dr. Komiyama has built up an extensive network in the academic world, and the advice that Shin-Etsu receives from him will be very helpful in furthering the success of the company’s business-academic collaborations. In addition, his expert guidance will assist Shin-Etsu in its efforts to improve the company’s chemical plant process technologies. In all these aspects, Shin-Etsu anticipates that the advice it receives from Special Adviser Komiyama will help it to strengthen and expand its businesses and products.

On the occasion of his appointment as Special Adviser to Shin-Etsu Chemical, Dr. Komiyama said, “By making use of my experience and my network of people, I hope to be able to be of service to further the development of the company, which has grown to become a leading world company under the leadership of President Kanagawa.”

Brief outline of Dr. Komiyama’s career
1944   Born on December 15, 1944
1967   Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo, where he majored in chemical engineering.
1969   Received a M.A. degree of Engineering (University of Tokyo)
1972   Received a Ph.D. degree of Engineering (University of Tokyo)
1972   Became an Assistant in the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
(Post-doctoral fellow at the University of California at Davis in 1973-74)
1977   Became a Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
1981   Became an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
1988   Became a Professor, in the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
1999-2001   Council Member of the University of Tokyo
2000-02   Dean of Graduate School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
2003-04   Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo
2004-05   Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo
2005-09   President of the University of Tokyo
2009   Retired as President of the University of Tokyo
2009-present   Chairman of the Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Main Awards
1979   The Outstanding Paper Award: Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan
1992   The Research Achievement Award: The Society of Chemical Engineers of Japan
2003   The Society Award: The Society of Chemical Engineers of Japan