Minami Kotani
Head of Academic Relations
Celebrate, Connect, and Collaborate
In the spirit of Expo 2025, this year’s Swiss Alumni Sakura event brings together our vibrant Swiss Alumni network in Japan. Join us for an inspiring afternoon featuring:
- Exceptional speakers who will showcase the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025.
- Swiss delicacies to savor as we celebrate the season of cherry blossoms.
- Networking opportunities to strengthen ties within the Swiss Alumni community.
This event promises a unique blend of Swiss culture, innovation, and camaraderie.
A Global Tradition
Swiss Alumni Sakura builds on the rich tradition of Swiss Alumni gatherings organized by Swissnex in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, Shanghai, Bangalore, and Rio de Janeiro. These events reflect Swissnex’s mission to connect Switzerland with the world through education, research, and innovation. By fostering meaningful exchanges of knowledge, ideas, and talent, Swissnex bolsters Switzerland’s reputation as a global leader in innovation.
Why Attend?
This is more than an event—it’s an opportunity to:
- Rekindle connections with fellow alumni.
- Exchange ideas and share updates from the community.
- Celebrate Swiss excellence in a memorable year.
We look forward to welcoming you to this special gathering of Swiss Alumni Sakura 2025. Together, let’s strengthen the bonds that unite our global Swiss network.
Speakers
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Bio
Mr. Andrea Nava
Executive Director of SCCIJ (Alumni of the University of Fribourg)Born in Ticino, I’ve lived, studied, and worked across Switzerland’s French and German-speaking regions. With 10 years of experience in politics and the communication/PR sector, I made a bold decision to leave everything behind and embark on a new journey in Japan. Now, as Executive Director of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ), I’m dedicated to strengthening Swiss-Japanese relations and fostering collaboration between these two vibrant cultures. This new chapter is more than just a career move—it’s an opportunity to take on new challenges, immerse myself in another culture, and connect two countries I deeply admire.
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Bio
Dr. Ai Ozawa
Mercury General LPC & Partners (Alumni of Geneva Graduate Institute)Ai Ozawa holds a Master’s degree from the Graduate Institute of Geneva and a Doctorate degree from Keio University in Tokyo since 2009. Based in Tokyo, she has engaged in various international projects across the academic, governmental and private sectors for the past 15 years. Having participated in research and study programs around Europe, she has conducted field trips around Africa and Central America. With her extended experience in various industries, such as, higher education, diplomatic and ministry services, infrastructure, nuclear plants, specialized chemical products, finance, pharmaceutical machinery, semiconductor manufacturing, and legal assistance.
On her personal time, she enjoys drawing, cooking and pastry creating. She is a member of the 10000 Freude Festive Choir of the Osaka Expo 2025.
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Bio
Dr. Yuko Kawakami
Senior geotechnical engineer of Arup (Alumni of ETH Zurich)Yuko obtained her Ph.D. from Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich, M.Eng and B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology (current Institute of Science Tokyo).
Yuko joined Arup in 2021 and is a member of Energy Team in Arup’s Tokyo Office and works as a senior engineering consultant. Since joining Arup, she has been involved in several offshore wind farm projects in Japan. Prior to joining Arup, she worked as a geotechnical engineer in a design and consultancy firm in Zurich, Switzerland for 7.5 years. She worked on a wide range of projects, including geotechnical analysis and design for new construction projects and evaluation of existing geotechnical structures.
Photo: Swiss Alumni Sakura 2024
Stay tuned for updates about the Swiss Pavilion exhibition at Expo 2025.
Swiss Pavilion program
Contact
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