June 2, 2008
Changchun University of Technology Honors Daisaku and Kaneko Ikeda
From left to right: Changchun University of Technology (CCUT) Prof. Song, CCUT Prof. Zhang, Soka University (SU) Prof. Ishikawa, CCUT Prof. Cui, CCUT President Zhang, SU President Yamamoto, SU Board Chair Tashiro and Soka Women's College President Fukushima
On June 2, 2008, Changchun University of Technology in Jilin Province, China, conferred an honorary professorship upon Soka University founder Daisaku Ikeda in recognition of his longstanding endeavors for the cause of world peace and contributions to Sino-Japanese friendship. The Changchun University of Technology Foreign Language Institute also presented Mrs. Kaneko Ikeda with an honorary professorship. At the conferral held at Soka University in Hachioji, Tokyo, Changchun University President Zhang Dejiang and Foreign Language Institute Chair Cui Yanhui presented the certificates for Mr. and Mrs. Ikeda to Soka University President Hideo Yamamoto and Japanese Language Institute Director Keiko Ishikawa. Changchun University of Technology Assistant Professor Song Chunling and Foreign Affairs Director Zhang Xueyan; SU Board of Trustees Chair Yasunori Tashiro; and Soka Women's College President Katsuhiko Fukushima were also present.
Since its establishment in 1952, Changchun University of Technology has grown to become a comprehensive university with 17 colleges and is nationally recognized as an outstanding educational institute.
During the ceremony, President Zhang noted that because of his commitment to fostering capable, creative individuals who are responsive to the needs of the times, he found deep resonance with Mr. Ikeda's vision for humanity's peace, culture and education. He said Mrs. Ikeda, whose way of life has empowered other women and inspired them with hope, is a positive role model for the many women faculty and students at his university. Referring to the manifold contributions made by Mr. Ikeda toward bilateral exchange, he hoped for the further development of friendly relations between Changchun and Soka universities.
Professor Cui stated that for the Changchun University Foreign Language Institute, where 92 out of 100 faculty members and 630 out of 680 students are women, it was a singular honor to have Mrs. Ikeda, who is widely engaged in activities for peace in partnership with her husband, as its honorary professor.
In his acceptance speech read by proxy, Mr. Ikeda referred to the university's tradition of friendly competition in learning and its progressive vision of leadership for a contributive society, sharing his determination to further develop education for the sake of posterity.
[Adapted from an article in the June 3, 2008, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
