Messages of support from the Director General of Ukyo Ward and the President of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.
Yoichi Kitagawa
Director General, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, celebrated 90 years since its establishment on April 1, 2021, so we were delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Kyoto University of Foreign Studies on this commemorative project to mark this, our milestone year.
Ukyo Ward is very proud to be home to a number of important manufacturing businesses, while also being surrounded by a rich natural environment, ideal for the development of its agriculture and forestry industries. It is also host to numerous tangible and intangible cultural properties, including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a variety of National Treasures and Designated Important Cultural Properties, as well as seasonal festivals and events and locations connected to the performing arts. All in all, Ukyo Ward itself is a very comfortable and convenient place to live, with citizens that support one another, and visitors, in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Through these interviews, featuring the real voices of Ukyo residents and representatives of local organizations, the students of KUFS have made a great effort to share the many appealing features of Ukyo with the world. I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students, the residents of the ward who cooperated in the interviews, and all the other people who contributed to this project. We hope for a very bright future for the university and its good neighbor, Ukyo Ward.
Yoichi Kitagawa, Director General
Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City
Takeshi Matsuda
President, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies and Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Languages
On behalf of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, I am honored to pay tribute to the 90th anniversary of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, which has been home to our campus since it was founded by the Morita family over 70 years ago. Our school motto is “World Peace through Languages”, and in this spirit we are pleased to reach out to the Ukyo community to celebrate our longstanding relationship.
Community engagement is central to global citizenship education, and it is for this reason our students are excited to collaborate with the citizens of Ukyo Ward to better understand the community in which they live and learn, and to share the fruits of their endeavors with all. Making connections with others, and sharing in their experiences, are often the first steps for many young people in becoming fully engaged and valuable members of society. Actually, for students in the Gaidai family, this is something that is actively encouraged and nurtured, and we are very proud of the many fine individuals we have produced over the years that have developed this admirable mindset.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy the results of the work of our students and faculty members. Kyoto University of Foreign Studies is proud to call Ukyo Ward its home in Kyoto, and we look forward to many more decades of a mutually beneficial relationship.
Takeshi Matsuda, President
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies and Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Languages