On December 3rd 2009, President Sólyom László of the Republic of Hungary paid a visit to the Kioi-cho campus, delivered a special lecture, and spent time with students.
Arrived at three P.M., the President first had an informal gathering with Chancellor MIZUTA, directors of the University, and faculty members. At the gathering, the President greeted the students of the Faculty of Tourism, who served him Japanese tea and Japanese sweets in Hungarian, with smile.
Chancellor MIZUTA gave a welcoming speech, explaining the history of mutual exchanges between the University and the Republic of Hungary. Chancellor said that two former Hungarian ambassadors are affiliated with the University as visiting faculty members, teaching courses on Hungarian history and culture and then announced the introduction of a new scholarship as a way to honor the visit of the President. She also introduced the special lecture by the President, saying that its topic is especially relevant and timely for the current situation of Japan as the nation is in the middle of transitional period, looking for a new direction.
The President started his speech by stating that university is a place where he feels like home. The President continued that the scholarship from the University is certainly an unforgettable present, especially because this year marks the 140th anniversary of Japan-Hungary amity. The President hoped that Josai would provide a role model for mutual exchanges between Japan and Hungary and also added that he would personally support exchange activities between Josai and Hungary from now on.
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Greeting the Hungarian President Solyom |
Welcoming Speech by the Chancellor |
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Speech by the President |
The presentation of mementos |
The Chancellor MIZUTA and the Rector Solti signed an academic exchange agreement between Josai and Szent Istvan University of Hungary with the President’s attendance. Szent Istvan University is Hungary’s leading university in the areas of Agriculture and Tourism Studies and also famous for its Faculty of Social Sciences.
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The signing ceremony with Szent Istvan University |
The presentation of mementos at the signing ceremony |
The signing ceremony was followed by the announcement of Mizuta Hungary Scholarship. The Scholarship whose details were conveyed to Mr. Bohar, Hungarian Ambassador to Japan, was established to commemorate the President’s visit to the University. The Scholarship covers tuition, travel and living expenses of students who wish to study at Josai, especially in the areas of Business Management, Tourism, Environment, International Culture and Information-Technology, and thus aims to encourage students from Hungary to come to Japan and study at Josai.
The Announcement of Mizuta Hungary Scholarship
Entitled “A Revolution based on Law: Twenty Years after Hungary’s Democratization,” the President’s special lecture recounts the President’s personal involvement with Hungary’s democratization process in a compelling fashion, from his active participation in people’s movements as a jurist to the establishment of the Constitutional Court and his time as a first cabinet member. After the lecture, the President took a number of questions from students from both universities and addressed each of them attentively.
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President Sólyom during his lecture |
Audience members at the lecture |
The President takes a question from an audience member
After the lecture, the President moved to the café in order to attend a reception to which, the President said earlier, he eagerly looked forward. Over twenty students, including Hungarian-majors, students who did their internship on Japanese language education in Hungary, and Hungarian students studying at Josai, attended the reception and had conversion with the President about Hungary under comfortable atmosphere. After the reception which lasted longer than scheduled, the President donated Hungarian textbooks to the University library, while Josai students presented mementos to the President. Gladly accepting students’ request, lastly, the President signed his book that was donated to the library.
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Conversation with the President |
The President signs his book |
Josai is currently running a number of exchange programs with Hungary such as short term study in Budapest, interchanges between students through remote relay, lectures by Hungarian writers, and more. As a result, over 230 students have taken Hungarian language courses. The President’s visitation to Josai will further accelerate these exchange activities of the University and hold up its dedication to educate and produce those who would play vital roles in developing relationships between Japan and Hungary.
