Watanabe Trust Fund awards grants to fifty students and scholars

Fifty students and scholars from the University of Iceland and universities in Japan have been awarded grants from the University of Iceland’s Watanabe Trust Fund to support studies and research in the two countries. The grants were presented at a ceremony held in the University’s Ceremonial Hall. This year the Fund awarded approximately ISK 48 million in total.

The grants were presented by Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, together with Eiríkur Smári Sigurðarson, Research Associate Professor at the School of Humanities and Chair of the Board of the Watanabe Trust Fund, who also served as master of ceremonies. Addresses were also delivered by Geir H. Haarde, former Prime Minister, ambassador and board member of the Watanabe Trust Fund, and Keizo Takewaka, Ambassador of Japan to Iceland.

The founder of the fund, Toshizo “Tom“ Watanabe, was unable to attend the ceremony in person, but he addressed the recipients and guests via video message. In his speech, he reflected on the origins of the fund and its personal significance to him. “Supporting this scolarship programme has become one of the most meaningful commitments of my life. I hope each of you will take this scholarship as an opportunity to make a leap forward in your life.“

The speakers emphasised the importance of international cooperation, cultural exchange, and the valuable experience gained through studies and research abroad. Eiríkur Smári also reviewed the development of the fund since its establishment, highlighting the growing number of grant recipients, the balance between students and scholars, and the distribution of grants for studies and research at partner universities. It was noted that when the first grants were awarded in 2011, three recipients received grants. Since then, the number has grown every year, reaching 51 recipients in 2025 and 50 this year.

An Important Part of Iceland - Japan Collaboration

This year marks the sixteenth time grants have been awarded from the fund, which was established by Toshizo Watanabe in 2008 with the aim of strengthening academic cooperation between the University of Iceland and Japan. Since the first grants were awarded in 2011, the fund has supported a total of 292 students and scholars in pursuing studies and research.

The University of Iceland currently collaborates with nineteen universities in Japan, and the Watanabe Trust Fund plays an important role in that cooperation. Grants from the fund provide students and scholars with opportunities for study and research, strengthen academic ties, and support the development of new research collaboration.

During the academic year now coming to an end, 20 Japanese students studied at the University of Iceland, eleven as exchange students and nine as degree students. During the same period, nineteen students from the University of Iceland went on exchange to Japan, and that number will increase to 25 in the next academic year. In addition, 68 students are currently enrolled in Japanese language studies at the University, reflecting the strong interest among Icelandic students in Japanese language and culture.

A call for applications was sent out at the beginning of the year, and a total of 69 applications were received. This year’s grantees are:

Undergraduate students awarded grants for exchange studies at partner universities in Japan

• Adrian Roszkowski, BS student in Software Engineering, to study at Kyoto University
• Alexander Þórisson Hraundal, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Ritsumeikan University
• Ana Margarida Delgado Costa, BS student in Computer Science, to study at Waseda University
• Anh Phuong Ðang, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Kansai Gaidai University
• Aþena Ýr Ólafsdóttir, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Kwansei Gakuin University
• Berglind Aya Iura, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Kyushu University
• Dagmar Ýr Eyþórsdóttir, BS student in Computer Science, to study at International Christian University
• Garðar Björgvinsson, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Kansai Gaidai University
• Hjalti Freyr Hjaltason, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Kwansei Gakuin University
• Hrafnhildur Kría Jónasdóttir, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at International Christian University
• Jóhann Ástráðsson, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Osaka Gakuin University
• Jón Karl Ngosanthiah Karlsson, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Shimane University
• Kjartan Ásgeirsson, BS student in Engineering Physics, to study at Waseda University
• Lúkas Máni Gíslason, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Osaka Gakuin University
• Margrét Kristjánsdóttir Wiium, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Sophia University
• Mist Reykdal Magnúsdóttir, BS student in Chemistry, to study at Kyoto University
• Orri Alvar Vilhjálmsson, BS student in Financial Economics, to study at Sophia University
• Seohyeon Jeong, BA student in English Studies, to study at International Christian University
• Sigurdís Unnur Beck, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Gakushuin University
• Sölvi Þorkelsson, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Kyoto Sangyo University
• Sveinn Logi Pálsson, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Seinan Gakuin University
• Viktor Már Eyjólfsson Ortega, BS student in Applied Mathematics, to study at Nagoya University
• Yifei Shen, BA student in Japanese Language and Culture, to study at Ritsumeikan University

Graduate students awarded grants for studies in Japan

• Annika Simonsen, PhD student in Computer Science, for a study visit to University of Tokyo
• Ashesh Abhisek Khatua, PhD student in Physics, for a study visit to Kavli IPMU, University of Tokyo
• Auður Gréta Þórisdóttir, for Masters studies in Business Marketing, at Kwansei Gakuin University
• Elizaveta Petrovskaia, PhD student in Business and Administration, for a study visit to University of Tokyo
• Rustam Balafendiev, PhD student in Physics, for a study visit to Kavli IPMU, University of Tokyo
• Shefali Poojary, PhD student in Geophysics, for a study visit to Kochi University
• Wiktoria Magdalena Szaratkiewicz, PhD student in Environmental Sciences, for a study visit to Waseda University

Japanese undergraduate students awarded grants for exchange studies at the University of Iceland

• Kanon Okamoto, BA student in Education at International Christian University
• Sou Takahashi, BA student in Law at Kyoto University
• Yuya Katsuta, BA student in Philosophy at Waseda University

Japanese graduate students awarded grants for studies at the University of Iceland

• Akane Tsunoda, Master´s student in Information Science
• Asuka Nakashizu, Master´s student in Information Science
• Mashiho Kaneko, PhD student in Icelandic Literature
• Renon Fukushima, MA student in Literature
• Yu Yasuhira, MA student in Anthropology
• Yuriko Kobayashi, MS student in Geology
  

Scholars receiving grants for research stays in Japan

• Auður Arna Arnardóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration, to visit Waseda University
• Ásdís Arnalds, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, to visit Ritsumeikan University
• Eva Marín Hlynsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Political Science, to visit Kansai University
• Fridrik Magnus, Research Professor at the Institute of Physical Sciences, to visit Kyushu University
• Karl Benediktsson, Professor at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, to visit Hokkaido University
• Már Másson, Professor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, to visit Kyoto University
• Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, to visit Ritsumeikan University
• Þröstur Olaf Sigurjónsson, Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration, to visit Waseda University

Scholars from Japanese universities receiving grants for research stays at the University of Iceland

• Go Ito, Professor at the School of Political Sciences and Economics at Meji University
• Osama Eljamal, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Kyushu University
• Sabina Quader, Deputy Principal Research Scientist at the Innovative Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion

The Board of the Watanabe Trust Fund consists of Eiríkur Smári Sigurðarson, Research Associate Professor at the School of Humanities and Chair of the Board, Toshizo Watanabe, founder of the fund, and Geir H. Haarde, former Prime Minister and ambassador.