The Center for Global Partnerships and Education conducted the final selection for the “1st Japanese Language Speech Contest in the Three Northeastern Provinces of China” (under the auspices of the Okayama University Co-op and the Consulate-General of Japan in Shenyang) at the Preparatory School for Chinese Students to Japan at the Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China on October 18th.

31 students from the Department of Japanese Studies from 26 universities in China’s northeastern region entered the speech contest. 15 prize winners were determined at the end of July following the essay review.

In this final selection, the prize winners gave speeches that were overflowing with enthusiasm. Mr. Yuan Liang from Dalian University of Foreign Languages was selected for the first prize and Mr. Changbo Li from Jilin HuaQiao University of Foreign Languages was selected for the award for excellence. Both will be invited to our university for an 8-day trip within the current fiscal year. They plan to learn about the nature and culture of Japan centered on Okayama.

Based on an approximate 40 years of a history of exchanges between Okayama University and Northeast Normal University, the contest was held with the intent to foster students who can act as bridges for the friendship between Japan and China by further developing exchanges with the northeastern region universities. The final selection for the 2nd contest next year is scheduled to be held in Shenyang, China.