The Elise and Walter A. Haas International Award honors an alum who is a native, citizen, and resident of another country and who has a distinguished record of service to that country in the arts, science and engineering, education, business, environmental protection, government, or any other field. We are particularly focused on welcoming nominations that represent the full diversity of our wonderful international alumni — including race, ethnicity, gender, and age — whose service to their country and community has been extraordinary. The award includes a cash prize of at least US $25,000, an engraved medallion, and travel expenses for the recipient to attend the award presentation at Berkeley’s winter commencement (travel may be restricted based on local, national, and international health restrictions). Please review the past recipients for examples of successful nominations.
The Haas International Award was established in 1964 by Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Haas, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Haas, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard N. Goldman. Created to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Walter, longtime head of Levi Strauss, and his wife, arts patron Elise, the award acknowledges their devotion to UC Berkeley and interest in international affairs. Its presentation at commencement echoes both the global character of Berkeley’s faculty, students, and curricula and the university’s long-standing commitment to improving the human condition around the world.
2022 Recipients
Moses R. Kamya M.P.H. ’95
Dr. Kamya is a Ugandan physician, academic, and researcher who serves as a professor of medicine. He is past chair of the Department of Medicine and past dean of the Makerere University School of Medicine in Kampala, Uganda. He is a founding member of the Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), and the Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC) in Uganda. For more than 20 years, Dr. Kamya has been researching and teaching infectious diseases with a particular interest in malaria, HIV, and the interaction between the two. He is a central figure in training at multiple levels at Makerere University and significantly contributes to shaping the malaria and HIV treatment policies in Uganda. He is the chair of the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) National AIDS Advisory and Malaria Scientific Advisory Committees. Dr. Kamya has a passion for the capacity building of young African scientists. He is a recipient of several awards including being honored in 2018 by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health's as one of the 75 most influential public health alumni over the college's 75-year history.
Yun-Hsien Diana Lin LL.M. ’02, J.S.D. ’04
Dr. Yun-Hsien Diana Lin is an Associate Professor of law at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Taiwan and is dedicated to the pursuit of social justice. Her draft of the bill to legalize same-sex marriage was passed by the Legislative Yuan in 2019, making Taiwan the first Asian country to do so.
Dr. Lin currently serves as a committee member of the Executive Yuan for the Prevention of Human Trafficking and the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; she also holds consulting positions appointed by Taiwan Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interiors, and Ministry of Health and Welfare. She has been a frequent speaker at international conferences and was invited to offer courses for Taiwan Judges Academy, Taipei Bar Association, and various government departments.
Dr. Lin was the Director for Graduate Entry LLB Program, NTHU, from 2017–2020. Her specialized areas of research are family law, reproductive justice, and gender equality; and her articles can be found in both Taiwanese and international major law journals including University of Pennsylvania East Asia Law Review, Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal, Asian Bioethics Review, and others.
Dr. Lin received her LL.B. from National Taiwan University; LL.M. and her J.S.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and is a founding board member of Taiwan Family Law Society.
Nomination Process
Deadline:
May 30, 2023
Eligibility requirements: Alumni who were enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at Berkeley for at least one full year and who are a native, citizen, and resident of another country are eligible for the Haas International Award. (A Berkeley degree is not required.)