A memorial service for Dr. Shinji Tomita, the fourth president of Kyoto Computer Guraduate Institute (KCGI), who passed away on September 21, 2024, at the age of 78, was held on January 25, 2025, at the main hall of KCGI Kyoto Ekimae Satellite and Kyoto Computer Gakuin (KCG) Kyoto Ekimae Campus.Many people from various fields including education, friends, alumni, current students, and others related to the KCG Group attended the ceremony to reflect on the past achievements and his warm personality, and to pray for his soul rest in peace.
The late President Tomita was a world authority in the field of computer architecture research, and his advanced research on machine instruction-level parallel processing and general-purpose and dedicated parallel computers contributed greatly to the speed-up of today's computer systems.At KCGI, he led the development of cutting-edge education to foster the next generation of advanced IT professionals and applied information technology specialists, and he also devoted himself to building a curriculum in the specialized field of "artificial intelligence" by utilizing his extensive knowledge and experience.He put his heart and soul into the education and administration of the University, and his thoughts were strongly with the students.At the time of his inauguration, he said, "There is a phrase, 'a home for the end of time,' and for me, this university is truly a school for the end of time.I would like to make the utmost effort to utilize my past experience and other knowledge to address the university's pressing issues, such as the use of generative AI and the further development of internationalization," he said, continuing to lecture on "computer configuration theory" after he became president.His enthusiasm never waned, and in his address at the KCGI degree conferment ceremony and KCG graduation ceremony held on September 13, 2024, just prior to his passing, he praised and encouraged the efforts of graduates and alumni.
At the memorial service, after all attendees observed a moment of silence, Wataru Hasegawa, President and Chancellor of KCGI, KCG, and Kyoto College of Gearmanship (KCGM), delivered the organizer's address, saying, "Dr. Tomita has left so much to this university.We are eternally proud of you, our students, alumni, faculty and staff, and all those involved with our university.I have made my mind that we carry his legacy for ever I believe that we can repay his kindness by applying his teachings to the future," he mourned.
The deceased and his friends, Takeo Kanade, Distinguished Professor at the Faculty of Advanced Studies, Kyoto University and Founder's Memorial Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and Masatsugu Kidode, Professor Emeritus at Nara Institute of Science and Technology and former KCGI Professor, both gave their own eulogies.Messages and telegrams of condolence from those who were unable to attend the ceremony were read out.
This was followed by a dedication by renowned pianist Kyoko Tagawa, professor at KCGI.Chopin's "Nocturne No. 20" and "Ballade No. 2, Op. 38" and Beethoven's "Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13, 2nd movement from 'Pathetique'" were performed as solo pieces with deep mourning for the late President Tomita.All the attendees quietly listened to the sad but beautiful music.
Flowers were offered at the end of the ceremony.The attendees moved in turn in front of the portrait of Dr. Tomita, who smiled kindly at them, to say goodbye to the deceased.
Afterwards, a reception was held in the lounge adjacent to the main hall, attended by family members and friends of the late President Tomita and others involved in education.They talked about their memories and remembered the deceased.
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The late President Shinji Tomita graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University, and received his doctorate in electrical engineering from the same university.He has served as Dean of the Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Director of the Center for Computing and Media Studies, Kyoto University, and Professor and Director of the Administrative Division of the Center for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University.After serving as a professor at Kyushu University, he became a professor at KCGI in 2017, vice president in 2018, and the fourth president in April 2023.
During this period, he has held a number of important positions, including advisory professor at Harbin Institute of Technology, member of the Committee for the Leading Program for Doctoral Education (Information), member of TC10 of IFIP (International Federation for Information Processing), director of the Information Processing Society of Japan, president of the Kansai Branch of IPSJ, visiting research director at Kyoto Institute of Advanced Technology, member of Kyoto Prefecture IT advisory board, member of the Council for Science and Technology Policy Expert Panel, chairman of the Kyoto Prefecture Information Policy Expert Panel, fellow of IEICE, fellow of IPSJ, and others.
