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President
of Nagasaki University
Hiroshi
Saito
M.D., Ph.D.
President's Profile
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President's address at the opening ceremony
of International Student Program, Student Exchange
Program and Intensive Program on Japanese
October 7, 2005
I am Hiroshi Saito, the president of Nagasaki University.
I would like to express my cordial welcome to your
participation in International Student Program, Student Exchange Program
and Intensive Program on Japanese.
In old days, Nagasaki was one of the few places
in Japan that accepted Asian and European cultures due to its proximity
to the Eurasian continent.
Although the@seclusion policy by Tokugawa government
separated Japan from most foreign countries, only Nagasaki continued to
play an important role in connecting Japan with other countries.
This historical prosperity had attracted a large
number of young people from all over Japan to come to Nagasaki.
Indeed, throughout the history, Nagasaki was a
destination for all the aspirants for academic achievement.
An exotic town of Nagasaki has been created under
this historical background.
The history of Nagasaki University goes all the
way back to November 12th, 1857 when a Dutch naval surgeon, Dr. Pompe established
Igaku Denshusho, which was the oldest medical school in Japan.
Although Nagasaki Medical College Igaku Denshusho
was completely demolished on August 9th 1945 by the atomic bomb, it miraculously
revived like a phoenix.
Now Igaku Denshusho has grown into a very important
university that comprises 8 faculties (Education, Economics, Medicine,
Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Studies
and Fisheries), affiliated hospitals, libraries and the Institute of Tropical
Medicine.
Nagasaki University now has 9,000 students including
some 300 international students from Asia, Africa and other parts of the
world.
The common wish of our University is the realization
of eternal peace and abolition of nuclear weapons.
Our University covers diverse disciplines, ranging
from Life Sciences to Environmental Studies.
The mission of Nagasaki University is to contribute
to harmonious development of human welfare and global peace by educating
people with distinguished abilities.
In order to realize this mission, I believe that
the participation and cooperation of international students are essential.
I hope all of you studying in the international
programs at Nagasaki University will deepen your understanding about Japan
through exchange activities with other students and academic staff.
Finally, I hope that your experience at Nagasaki
University will encourage you to start more intensive and professional
research on Japan, Nagasaki, peace, and so on.
Please be careful of your health and enjoy your
stay at this beautiful and romantic city, Nagasaki.
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