Jan in Japan

While most Norwegians flocked to the mountains for the Easter holiday, Rector Jan I. Haaland was in Japan to further the relationship with the university in Nagoya. In Norwegian

18.04.2012 - Idar Furevik

The Rector was invited to be the main speaker at the opening of the new academic year at Nagoya University of Commerce & Business (NUCB).

"It was a very pleasant and rewarding visit. In Japan the academic year begins on 1 April, and inviting a representative from one of the collaborating partners to speak here is apparently a tradition. This is a formal and very nice ceremony for the new students; with parents, guests and the entire University staff present."

More than a thousand people were present at the opening ceremony for the new academic year at the NUCB.

Foto: NUCB

In the august surroundings of the university Rector Haaland was the guest of honour during his visit. In addition to the Rector, NHH student Sophie Grindstad from Bergen made a speech on behalf of the international students at the NUCB.

"It was a beautiful place, an enormous campus with a lot of nature and impressive buildings. Many of the architectural details were chosen by the President himself", Haaland tells us.

President Kurimoto shows Rector Haaland round in the impressive surroundings of the NUCB campus.

Foto: NUCB

More than a thousand people were present at the ceremony, and both countries' national anthems were performed by a Japanese opera singer. Sophie Grindstad had in advance helped the singer prepare the correct pronunciation of the lyrics of the Norwegian national anthem.

The NUCB is chaired by President Kurimoto, and is a private institution established by the current President's family around sixty years ago. NHH signed a student exchange agreement in 2007 and sent the first students to Nagoya in the autumn of 2008.

Sophie Grindstad from NHH made a speech on behalf of the international students. "It was a great speech. She mentioned among other things how well the international students had been received and cared for by the University

Foto: NUCB

The Rector and Sophie Grindstad were invited to tea in President Kurimoto's impressive office.

Foto: NUCB