On July 3, 2025, SOI Asia Director Professor Keiko Okawa received the Ganesa Wirya Jasa Adiutama Award from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. This prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology at both national and international levels in connection with ITB.
Professor Okawa’s relationship with ITB began nearly three decades ago, in 1996, through initiatives such as the WIDE Project, AI3, and the early days of SOI Asia. At the time, regional efforts led by Jun Murai and Suguru Yamaguchi sought to connect universities across Asia to the Internet—a bold vision that has since grown into a broad, resilient network of people and institutions committed to inclusive digital development.
Keiko-sensei—as she is fondly called by many—has worked closely with generations of ITB alumni throughout her time at Keio University, both at the Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) and the Graduate School of Media Design (KMD). These collaborations have helped deepen the ties between the two institutions and shaped many of the educational and research initiatives under SOI Asia.
This award is not just for me, but for all who have walked this path together.
As we look ahead to 2026, which will mark 30 years since the beginning of this collaborative journey, this award is both a recognition of past achievements and a reminder of the continued importance of cross-border cooperation in education, research, and digital empowerment.
On behalf of the SOI Asia community, we also extend our congratulations to ITB on its 105th anniversary. We are grateful to all those who have contributed to this shared journey—and we look forward to what lies ahead.
