On August 20, the International Student Center held a closing ceremony for Japanese Language and Culture Studies Course and the Japanese Society and Culture Program, at the Business Incubation Center. The ceremony was attended by eight international students who enrolled at Gifu University last October: seven of the students completed Japanese Language and Culture Course, and one student completed the Japanese Society and Culture Program. Dr. Fumiaki Suzuki, Executive Director for International Affairs and Public Relations attended the event as a guest.

Dr. Suzuki opened the ceremony by delivering a congratulatory speech. By quoting from Inazo Nitobe's Bushido (The Soul of Japan), he urged the graduates to spread Japanese culture when they return to their native countries. He also expressed his hope to see them again when they return to either Gifu University or another Japanese university to pursue graduate studies.

Next, Dr. Toyohide Takeuchi, Director of the International Student Center, handed each graduate a certificate of completion.

This was followed by speeches by Ms. Jayasekara Kavindra Gayangi (Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka; with recommendations from the embassy), and Ms. Zhong Peirong (Guangxi University, China; with recommendations from the university) on behalf of the graduates of Japanese Language and Culture Studies. Mr. Diaz Jonathan (San Diego State University, USA), a graduate of the Japanese Society and Culture Program, also gave a speech. In their speeches, they expressed gratitude for the Japanese language instruction, and talked about how much they enjoyed the experience of cross-cultural communication.

The final part of the ceremony was marked by congratulations from Dr. Takeuchi to the students for completing their programs. He expressed his hope that the graduates will capitalize on their experience of having studied in Japan, and pass their knowledge of Japan and Gifu University to others once they are back in their native countries.

The international students, who had spent a year at Gifu University, studying and living together in spite of different nationalities, shared their joy in a friendly atmosphere before the ceremony closed.

The closing ceremony completed the entire program for the students of Japanese Language and Culture Studies Course, as well as the Japanese Society and Culture Program. They will return to the universities they came from and continue their studies.

Many graduates come back to Japan to enroll at a graduate school, either at Gifu University or another university, or find employment in Japan. Gifu University hopes for the opportunity to see them again and witness their growth.