Events

20 Mar 2018|Gurgaon (Manesar) | Amity University Gurugram

3rd International Language Day

Continuing with the custom of promoting the Foreign Languages, multilingualism and multiculturalism on and off campus, Amity School of Languages, Amity University Gurugram celebrated its 3rd biennial "International Language Day (ILD)" on 20th March'2018 with the theme “Cultural Diversity” focusing on Japan as a country. International Language Day is a platform for students, academicians and other stakeholders to share and discuss topics pertaining to the importance of foreign language teaching in the present day and to popularize foreign languages and culture among students

In his welcome address Prof (Dr) Ashok Tiku, HoD Amity School of Law shared that this year we had introduced Japanese as a foreign language and therefore, main focus of the event was to promote Japanese language and its culture at Amity. Apart from members of Foreign Cultural Centres the eminent guests were:

·      Mr. Masahiro Kobayashi, First Secretary (Education) Embassy of Japan New Delhi.

·      Dr. Shigeki Ashida, Director India office Ritsumeikan University, Delhi

·      Mrs. Noriko Nasukawa, President, Nihongo Center, Delhi

·      Miss Ekta Sharma, DGM, NEC, Japanese Language Centre, Delhi

·      Prof. Vyjayanti Raghavan, Chairperson, Centre for Korean Studies, JNU

·      Prof. Meenakshi Sundriyal, Chairperson, CSPILAS, JNU

·      Dr. Govind Bhattacharya Author Book on GST and its Aftermath

In his motivating introductory remarks Hon’ble Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Padmakali Banerjee alluding to the 2018 theme of UNESCO's 'International Mother Language Day', i.e. Linguistic diversity and multilingualism count for sustainable development, Prof. Banerjee talked about the significance of celebrating this Day.

In his brief address & presentation Mr. Kobayashi Masahiro, First Secretary (Education), Embassy of Japan was highlighted few points of eminence for the students willing to pursue higher studies in Japan and laid emphasis on exploring greater academic exchanges between the two countries. Mr. Masahiro also pointed to low presence of Indian students in Japan, when compared to its neighboring countries like Nepal (21,500), Sri Lanka (6607) and Bangladesh (2748) only 1236 students from India were enrolled at the universities in Japan and this trend needs to be improved through mutual collaboration. This was followed by speech of Mr Kousuke Noguchi, Director, Japanese Studies & Intellectual Exchange, in which he had presented a detailed report on the activities performed by the Japan Foundation as well as how the students could make optimum utilization of the facilities available for enhancing their career prospects.

Ms Ekta Sharma ( Centre Head, NEC, Japanese Language Academy), in her keynote address, emphasized on the growing demand for people with Japanese language  expertise in the corporate sector and suggested some futuristic academic collaboration between NEC and ASL.

Prof. Vyjayanti Raghavan, Head, Centre for Korean (CKS), JNU emphasized the link between Academia and Industry as well as the importance of acquiring a foreign language, as it equips  the students with interpersonal skills to understand the country specific cultural nuances.

Prof Meenakshi Sundriyal from Centre for Spanish, Portuguese, Italian & Latin American studies (CSPILAS), JNU also spoke on the same lines, wherein she adumbrated the need and relevance of learning foreign language in the ever-changing globalized world. 

In his Concluding remarks Prof Ashok Tiku announced that Amity School of Language signed MoU with NEC Japanese Language Center, New Delhi as main agency for training and recruitment program. We will be singing a joint collaboration and exchange with Ritsumeikan University and Tokyo University. He also announced the initiation of an “Excellence in Foreign Language Achievement Award” from next ILD onwards, which would be bestowed upon academicians for their notable contribution in promoting foreign language. Prof Tiku conveyed his sincere thanks to dignitaries for their valuable contribution towards making the ILD 18 a great success.