During the state visit to Vietnam from February 28 to March 3, 2017, faculties and students of the Vietnam Japan University had a chance to meet with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan.
Rector of the Vietnam Japan University (VJU) Furuta Motoo shared the great honor of speaking to Empress Michiko in person. When asked by the Empress, “How is VJU?” Professor Furuta replied, “VJU is a university that Japan and Vietnam are building together, thus I am trying to develop VJU to represent the strenghs of both Japanese and Vietnamese universities.” The Empress responded that “Having a chance for two countries to build a university together is truly rare. It is well hoped that VJU can thrive in the future.”
The Empress of Japan talked personally with Tran Dieu Anh, a student of the Master’s program in Area Studies.
Attending the State Banquet welcoming the Emperor and the Empress of Japan at the Presidential Palace hosted by President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse on the evening of March 1, 2017, Vice Rector of VJU Vu Anh Dung also shared his feeling when meeting the Emperor and the Empress: “I am really honored to have the opportunity to meet the Emperor and the Empress in person. Through this, I can apprehend the deep concern not only of the governments of Vietnam and Japan, but also of the Japanese Royal Family to the development of VJU. Hopefully, with the continual support and by its own efforts, the University will soon become a leading institution, further strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries, and the friendship and solidarity of their people.”
President Tran Dai Quang and former President Truong Tan Sang took a picture with guests and representatives of VJU at the banquet
Meeting of former Vietnamese students in Japan and students studying in Japan-based educational environments, on the morning of March 2, 2017 was well anticipated by the Emperor. Vice Rector Nguyen Hoang Oanh shared the honor of speaking with the Emperor and Empress of Japan: “I am very happy to meet the Emperor and Empress in person for the first time though I have attended events with the presence of the Japanese Royal Family. Especially, I was honorly surprised to be asked to shake hands by the Emperor.” When asked personally about integrating Vietnamese and Japanese cultural values into the educational environment of VJU, Vice Rector Nguyen Hoang Oanh shared with the Emperor his wishes to train Vietnamese students the discipline and work ethic of the Japanese people, the values that he has personally learned in the process of studying and working in the land of the rising sun.
The Emperor met with officials and students of Vietnam Japan University at the Temple of Literature
Among the student representatives of VJU having the honor to meet with the Emperor, Tran Dieu Anh, a student of the Master’s program in Area Studies, shared: “This is the official visit of Emperor Akihito and the Empress to Vietnam. Therefore, it is a great honor for me to represent the students of VJU participating in the event. Hopefully, VJU can serve as a bridge to further deepen the relationship between Vietnam and Japan. “
Having the opportunity to meet and speak to the Empress, Ms. Tran Hai Yen, a student of the MBA program was deeply moved: “The Empress was very plain and gentle. The Empress asked where I was studying, how the learning environment at VJU was, my reason for learning Japanese and impression of Japan, and my future plan.”
Also speaking to the Empress, Ms. Tran Thi Hien, a student of the Master Program in Area Studies shared: “The Empress asked me where I was studying, in my answer, She immediately recalled Mr. Furuta Motoo as the Rector of VJU. The Empress also encouraged me: trying to learn, later it would be great to visit Japan and make more friends!”
As a symbol of the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan, since its inception, the Vietnam Japan University has received much attention from the leaders of both countries. The meeting between Emperor Akihito and officials and students representing the University once again confirmed the interest and support of Japan with the development of education in Vietnam in general and Vietnam Japan University in particular.