May 18, 2011
Macau University of Science and Technology Honors Daisaku Ikeda
On May 18, 2011, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) presented Daisaku Ikeda, Soka University founder and SGI president, with an honorary professorship. A delegation from the Chinese university led by Rector Xu Aoao was on hand for the ceremony by proxy held on the Soka University campus in Hachioji, Tokyo. Soka University President Hideo Yamamoto accepted the citation on Mr. Ikeda's behalf.
MUST was established in 2000, the year following Macau's repatriation to China. It has since established a curriculum in such leading-edge disciplines as information technology, space science and sustainable development, while its innovative program in traditional Chinese herbal medicines has also generated keen interest in recent years.
In his speech, Rector Xu pointed out the consonance in the mission of his institution and Mr. Ikeda's lifetime achievements in advancing humanistic education and in fostering youth of outstanding character and scholarship. He also explained that MUST was originally scheduled to present the honorary professorship in mid-March but had to postpone its presentation due to the devastating quake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on March 11, and offered prayers for the victims and the earliest recovery of the affected areas.
In a message read on the occasion, Mr. Ikeda expressed deep appreciation for both the academic honor and support extended from the people of Macau to the Japanese following the March 11 disaster. He cited MUST for training leaders in various fields and for its commitment to an educational methodology focusing on the development of a student as an individual--the hallmark of humanistic education that guide the Soka schools he founded.
MUST delegation headed by Rector Xu (2nd row, 4th from right) take a commemorative photo with Soka University students and faculty
[Adapted from an article in the May 19, 2011, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
