On 31st July, 2013, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Fumio Kishida conferred a certificate of commendation to Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD) in recognition of its efforts in the promotion of Japanese Language Education in the Philippines and its contribution to the enhancement of friendly relations between the Philippines and Japan.
Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe will visit Davao City on Wednesday, 2nd October to hand over the certificate to Mdme. Ines P. Mallari, President of MKD, during the opening ceremony of the Philippine Japan Festival to be held at the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School in Lanang, Davao City.
MKD began its operation in 2002 as a private higher educational institution recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and is located in Lanang, Davao City. The college is owned and managed by the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, an association of Japanese descendants, with the support of Japanese benefactors.
Although MKD has been abiding by the Philippine college educational system, it has succeeded in the establishment of a strong and dynamic relationship with Japan, its people, language, customs and culture. MKD played a remarkable role in the promotion of Japanese Language education in the Philippines by including the Japanese language as one of the major subjects for the students to study in the curriculum at the college.
Many of MKD students are articulate in the Japanese language and have passed the worldwide examination in Japanese language known as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Since 2005, MKD students have also topped the National Nihongo Speech contest held in Manila which is organized by the Japan Foundation Manila with the full support of the Embassy of Japan. MKD graduates are in demand in Japanese multinational companies Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and even in Japan due to their proficiency in the Japanese language.
MKD is expected to continue taking an active role in further strengthening the close and friendly relations between our two nations through the promotion of Japanese language education over the years and decades to come.
|
