A Special Lecture by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan
On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the Gifu University Organization for Promotion of Glocalization (GU-GLOCAL) held a special lecture by His Excellency Dr. Aurelijus Zykas, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to Japan, at the University Auditorium.
This lecture was held as part of the Gifu Prefectural government-sponsored project 'Lithuania NOW 2024.' In the opening remarks by President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro of Gifu University, he introduced the history of exchanges between Gifu University and the Republic of Lithuania, including research and student exchanges with Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). Gifu University signed the interuniversity agreements with these two universities in 2012 and 2010, respectively. Gifu University also had the honor of inviting President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania for a special lecture in 2019.
Before being appointed as Ambassador in May 2022, Dr. Zykas served as the Director of the Centre for Asian Studies at VMU and contributed to the launch of exchanges between Gifu University and VMU. The special lecture on October 29 marked Ambassador Zykas's fifth visit to Gifu University, but it was the first time he has given a lecture as the Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan. In his lecture, he spoke in clear and polite Japanese about the geographical features, culture, history, current situations in Lithuania, and support for Ukraine. His speech captivated approximately 200 participants from both inside and outside the university. Participants showed strong interest in Lithuania, asking questions about the country's high food self-sufficiency rate, defense and energy policies, as well as the unique collaboration project between Lithuanian home cooking and a major Japanese chain restaurant.
After the lecture, there was a book signing session by the Ambassador, followed by an interaction session with about 30 students and high school students. The participants had an opportunity to deepen their knowledge about Lithuania. Many of them later said that the lecture was very meaningful, providing a wide range of knowledge about Lithuania and highlighting the differences between Japan and Lithuania today. It is expected that the lecture will help students, faculty, staff, and local residents develop their understanding about Lithuania and further promote exchanges between Gifu University and universities in Lithuania.
Gifu University will continue to provide opportunities to experience the cultures of various countries and promote activities that deepen international understanding among students, faculty, staff, and local residents.
