President Kamata had a dialogue with the Ambassador of France
Tue, Feb 25, 2014-
Tags
On January 28, 2014, the Ambassador of France H.E. Mr. Christian Masset visited Waseda University to have a dialogue with President Kaoru Kamata, who has research experience in France. This dialogue was for a project organized by Waseda’s Organization for European Studies for its English journal.
The discussion extended from topics discussed in the Council for the Implementation of Education Rebuilding, which is led by Prime Minister Abe, to the university renovations that took place in France in 2007, as well as various issues concerning educational systems in both countries. Ambassador Masset commented on classes taught in English, that although there are mixed opinions in France, it is being encouraged, “in order to enhance the higher education in France, and to promote the harmonization of the world educational system”. President Kamata replied by saying, “it is vital to offer classes taught in English as the international competition gets fiercer, and they have become an attractive curriculum for both exchange students coming to Japan and for Japanese students, too.” However, both agreed on the point that education and study in their native language is still important, and as globalization progresses, it will become more and more important to nurture students who can accommodate diversity.
 President Kamata |
 H.E. Mr. Christian Masset |
Further, the Ambassador and the President agreed that it is important to strengthen the exchange between universities. Ambassador Masset concluded the dialogue by saying, “students who value diversity and their exchanges lead to mutual understanding. Respect between two countries is the basis for our relationships, and we believe that it will stimulate student exchanges.”
This dialogue will be published in the”Japanese Journal of European Studies” (in English) in March by the Organization for European Studies, with support from the EU.
