Angeles University Foundation honoured Japanese ambassador to the Philippines  Makoto Katsura during the commencement exercises of the AUF Graduate School held on July 16, 2009, it was announced by AUF president Ricardo P. Pama.

Ambassador Katsura  was conferred the distinguished University  Medal of Honor in recognition of his exemplary achievements and outstanding contributions for the promotion of diplomacy and socio-economic cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, having served the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines as counselor and consul-general from 1994 to 1995, Minister from 1995 to 1997 and as ambassador since 2007. Prior to his current post, he was also commissioned as Counselor of the Embassy of Japan to France from 1991 to 1994; Acting Director of the Japan Institute of International Affairs from 1997 to 1999; Minister of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland concurrently serving as Consul-General of Japan to Geneva from 1999 to 2001; and as ambassador of Japan to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 2004-2007.

According to AUF Graduate School dean Nicanor C. Austriaco, five candidates for graduation received their doctorate degrees in business administration and education, while 54 earned their master’s degrees in Guidance and Counseling, Education,  Special Education, Nursing, Mathematics, Business Administration, Engineering and Public Health .