The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), along with Japanese paint manufacturer NIPSEA Group – known throughout Asia as Nippon Paint – announces the establishment of the Gennosuke Obata Fellowship Fund at the GSD. The Gennosuke Obata Fellowship Fund, initiated during the GSD’s Grounded Visionaries campaign, will provide financial aid to GSD students from Asian countries, helping to attract, enroll, and support talented design scholars from the region as they work to become leaders in transforming the social and built environment.

NIPSEA Group’s Inclusive Business strategy embraces the holistic approach by bridging the gap between education and poverty that essentially create the next generation of thinkers, innovators and game changers in their lives, families, communities, and country. This gift is a continuation of the company’s strategy to extend its reach through GSD’s global presence in countries where they are present in providing design students an opportunity to quality education and optimize the opportunity to build an inclusive economy that allows everyone to thrive.

This is in line with its company’s commitment to nurture the next generation of talented designers, reflected in its Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA). Launched in 2008, the event has become one of Asia’s premier design award, serving as a platform to inspire architecture and interior design students to develop their skills and to network with key industry players and peers in the region. The Gennosuke Obata Fellowship Fund represents Nippon Paint’s next step in investing in these young design leaders.

Nippon Paint’s gift of $300,000 to establish The Gennosuke Obata Fellowship Fund includes $50,000 for immediate use to benefit students at the GSD. The remainder of the gift is invested in the Harvard University endowment, leveraging these dollars for future support.

As part of the Grounded Visionaries campaign, the GSD has increased the number of student fellowships by over 50%, with 24 new endowed funds created during the Campaign to expand opportunities for talented design students.

About NIPSEA Group and Nippon Paint Holding Japan

NIPSEA Group and its principal company Nippon Paint Holding Japan, has led the way in changing the landscape of the paint and coatings industry solidifying its position as Asia’s No. 1 Coating Solutions company. With more than 76 NIPSEA companies spread throughout Asia, it understands the local needs of its customers in every community. Each company embraces diversity and operates together with a strong Pan-Asia presence. Headquartered in Singapore, NIPSEA Group has more than 21,000 employees with more than 61 manufacturing facilities and operations in 16 countries. Gennosuke Obata, known as Nippon Paint’s “second founding father,” became the Nippon Paint Japan’s fourth president in 1924. www.nipponpaint.com