The opening ceremony for the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research of Kyushu University (I²CNER) was held Thursday, December 9, 2010 on the 1st floor of Kyushu University’s Inamori Frontier Research Center, Ito campus.

Among the approximate 130 national and international attendees were special guests Mr. Itaru Watanabe, the Deputy-Director General of Science & Technology Policy Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and Mr. Mark S. Dieker, Consul for Political and Economic Affairs of the American Consulate Fukuoka.

Mr. Setsuo Arikawa, President of Kyushu University, began the ceremony with eloquent opening remarks given in English, the official language of the Institute, and was followed by congratulatory speeches from Mr. Watanabe and Mr. Dieker. Speaking last, Director Petros Sofronis provided the audience with an outline of I²CNER and gave an overview of the Institute’s goals and research areas. Director Sofronis said, “Our focus is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly society by advancing fundamental science to reduce CO₂ emissions and establish a non-fossil based energy carrier system.”

The unveiling ceremony was performed afterwards at the entrance of the center where I²CNER’s plaque is set up.