本日は、「京都大学ベトナム同窓会設立会」が、京都から遙か遠いここハノイの地で、これほどの多くの方のご参加のもと、盛大に開催されますことを大変嬉しく思っております。
伺ったところによりますと、こちらでは、日本人卒業生の方々による「ハノイ吉田会」が3年ほど前から定期的に会合を開催するなどの活動をされており、先月、大西一男様が会長に就任されたとお聞きしております。今後とも、大西会長を中心にますます情報交換や親睦を深められますことを願っております。
また、ベトナム人卒業生の方々の同窓会である「ベトナム人同窓会」につきましては、本日が発足の会となると伺っております。ハノイ医科大学の副学長であられるTa Thanh Van先生が会長に就任されるとのことで、今後の活発な活動をご期待申し上げます。
現在、「京都大学同窓会」にご加入いただいている地域同窓会は、国内に11、海外に12あります。特に、今年に入ってからは加入が増え、すでに国内で3つ、海外で6つの地域同窓会に加わっていただいている状況です。そして今回、このベトナムの地から、更に2つが増えることになります。このような地域同窓会、特に海外で、卒業生が横の繋がりを持たれ、美しい人間関係の「綾」を織りなされることを大変嬉しく、また心強く感じるところです。
明日は、「京都大学－ベトナム国家大学ハノイ共同事務所（Vietnam National University, Hanoi – Kyoto University Collaboration Office：VKCO）の開所式がございます。今後このVKCOもご活用いただくなど、大学からの支援・交流を進めていきますので、よろしくお願いいたします。
最後になりましたが、昨今、大学を取り巻く様々な状況には大変厳しいものがあります。私どもは懸命に頑張っておりますが、皆様方同窓生のお力添えが何よりも励みとなりますので、これからも京都大学へのご支援、ご協力いただきますようお願い申し上げます。
Good evening everyone, my name is Hiroshi Matsumoto, president of Kyoto University. Welcome to this inaugural meeting of the Kyoto University Alumni Association of Vietnam. We are rather far from Kyoto, here in Hanoi, but despite that distance, I am delighted to see so many people gathered to participate in this meeting.
According to what I have heard, for the past three years or so, a group of Kyoto University alumni have been involved in regular gatherings and other activities under the collective name of the Hanoi Yoshida Association. I also heard that last month Mr. Onishi Kazuo became chairperson of the association. I would like to offer my congratulations to Mr. Onishi on his new appointment, and I hope that the Hanoi Yoshida Association goes from strength to strength under his chairpersonship.
Also, on the occasion of this inaugural meeting of the Kyoto University Alumni Association of Vietnam, an association established specifically for Kyoto University's Vietnamese alumni, I would like to extend my congratulations to Professor Ta Thanh Van ,Vice President of Hanoi Medical University, on his appointment as chairperson of this association. I am certain he will perform the role with great energy and enthusiasm.
At present Kyoto University has eleven regional alumni associations within Japan, and twelve overseas. The number of associations rose dramatically this year, with the establishment of three new domestic and six new international associations. And now we have two more wonderful associations here in Vietnam. It is very encouraging and heartwarming indeed to witness the formation of these associations – particularly those outside of Japan – and to see the way in which warm and meaningful relationships develop among their members.
Tomorrow, we will hold the opening ceremony for the Vietnam National University, Hanoi – Kyoto University Collaboration Office, the VKCO for short. The office will function to support various activities of Kyoto University and other Japanese universities in Vietnam. I hope that you will make use of the office, and give it your kind support.
I will now end this brief greeting, but I would like to emphasize that these are currently very challenging times for higher education institutions. There are many pressing difficulties and issues to be tackled, and we are doing our best. In these difficult times, the support and encouragement provided by alumni associations such as this is invaluable, and your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your attention.