On January 25 (Saturday), at the Central Education Tower’s Discovery Hall, a ceremony took place to confer completion certificates to 90 international students from 15 countries and regions who studied for the autumn term in the academic year 2019. These international students are from the Philippines’ De La Salle University, Kenya’s University of Nairobi, and Belgium’s University of Namur, as well as special enrollment students from the Undergraduate Non-Degree Program, students taking courses before admission to sister schools, and students recommended by designated schools.

At the conferral ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Yasunori Tashiro introduced a message from founder Daisaku Ikeda:
“The life of those who seek the peak of a great ideal is full of struggles and hardships. However, you have your second alma mater, Soka University, with beautiful bonds of Soka friendship that has spread in the world. Further, there you can count on the support and trust from those who seek peace. With the pride of being a Soka alumni, please triumph with glory in your life while walking the great path of value creation, advancing with the positivity of the never-defeating spirit.”
　
After the conferral of certificates, two representative students, Mr. Kenichi Sato from France and Ms. Kang Yunji from Korea’s Changwon National University, delivered speeches in Japanese, looking back at their school life as exchange students at Soka University.


Mr. Kenichi Sato said: “At the beginning, I was full of worry, but through my days as an exchange student, I learned the importance of summoning forth courage and taking action, so I was able to improve my Japanese as a result. I made many friends, and the professors were very kind to me. This one year was very enjoyable. All I can think is how appreciative I am to my parents, who sent me to Soka University. I will continue to do my best toward my dream to become a first-class chef while keeping in my heart what I learned at Soka University.”

Ms. Kang Yunji shared: “This past year has become an irreplaceable memory for me, as I enjoyed studying at awesome classes with kind professors and talking a lot with new friends. To me, Soka University is like a cornerstone that supports its students, who come from various backgrounds, toward surpassing our current selves and advancing forward. Soka University is filled with everything, from ‘education with the students as protagonists’ based on the founder’s ideals to mutual respect, equality, and love. I am so glad to have attended Soka University. Thank you.”

To conclude, President Yoshihisa Baba praised each international student’s efforts and congratulated them on successful completion, and he encouraged them by saying: “’Soka intends to ‘create value.’ The founder once said, ‘The power to create value is the power to find meaning, no matter what the circumstances, as well as to strengthen ourselves and to contribute to the happiness of others.’ I am praying that all of you will hold dear in your hearts this power of ‘value creation’ and powerfully advance in your lives as you take on an active role in society. As Soka University is your alma mater, please stop by any time.”