The Meijo University Research Branding Project for Development of New Optical Devices Based on Blue LED Technology was selected to receive a subsidy under the 2016 Private University Research Branding Project (global development category) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Using this subsidy, Meijo University established the Optoelectronic Device Research Center as a research base to further research on the technologies of blue LED, which was invented by Professor Isamu Akasaki of Meijo University and Professor Hiroshi Amano of Nagoya University, both of whom were awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics. On March 27, the University and the Center held a commemorative symposium at the Lecture Hall (East) on the Tempaku Campus. In the symposium, about 150 people including students of the Advanced Classes of Meijo University Senior High School took part and were inspired by the speeches and lectures about the university's research on the development of new optical devices.

In the opening speech, President Koichi Yoshihisa emphasized that Meijo was the only university in Japan’s Hokuriku and Tokai regions to be selected by the MEXT to receive subsidies under the Private University Research Branding Project (global development category). President Yoshihisa said that this branding project is aimed at disseminating the achievements of the university’s research to international society in order to establish Meijo’s brand image worldwide as a research-oriented university.

In his speech, Professor Akasaki, who has been appointed Honorary Director of the Center, said that all people involved in research should work as one and pool their knowledge in order to realize the ultimate innovative optical device. He thanked the high school students and other participants at this symposium for giving support to this lofty challenge.

Professor Amano also spoke to participants, saying that improving the English proficiency of everyone at the university is essential to elevating its international brand value. He also expressed high expectations for the role that the Optoelectronic Device Research Center will play in contributing to the restoration of Japan’s research capabilities.

These speeches were followed by Professor Tetsuya Takeuchi of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the Faculty of Science and Technology, who has taken the office of Director of the Center. In layman’s terms, Professor Takeuchi explained the characteristics of LED and laser diodes, the benefits of joint research by faculty, students, and company researchers, and the meaning of developing a research branding project that will make the young generation more interested in pursuing research in their future.

Specially appointed Senior Advisor Koichi Ota of Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., who successfully put blue LED into commercial production under the guidance of Professor Akasaki, gave a speech in which he explained the mechanisms of LED, progress in LED research, and the importance of cooperation between industry and academia.