Birgitta Henriques Normark awarded Japanese order
On 3 November, the Government of Japan announced that Birgitta Henriques Normark, professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, has been awarded the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star”. The award honors her contributions to promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Sweden. The Order of the Rising Sun was Japan's first award, established in 1875.
Congratulations on your award Birgitta! Tell us about it.
“As President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA), I interacted with the Embassy of Japan in Sweden, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Stockholm Office and promoted prominent Japanese researchers to have the opportunity to lecture at Swedish academies and universities. I was also involved in promoting exchange between Japanese and Swedish researchers. As a professor at Karolinska Institutet, I have contributed to strengthening international collaborations with Japanese researchers and academic exchange between Japan and Sweden through research collaborations with Japanese scientists.”
What does it mean for you to get this award?
“I am deeply honored to get this recognition from Japan, it means a lot to me.”
How is the award ceremony conducted?
“There will be a decoration conferment ceremony organized by the Embassy of Japan in Stockholm.”
Citation:
As President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Birgitta Henriques Normark initiated opportunities for prominent Japanese researchers to lecture at Swedish academies and universities, thereby showcasing Japan’s advanced research capabilities to the Swedish academic community. She also worked actively to foster exchange between Japanese and Swedish researchers. In her role as Professor at Karolinska Institutet, she further contributed to strengthening the international standing of Japanese academic research and promoting academic exchange between Japan and Sweden through collaborative research projects with Japanese scholars and by inviting them to Sweden.