On February 24 and 25, 2010 a delegation from Soka University Japan (SUJ) visited three Malaysian universities. Heading the delegation was SUJ President Prof Dr Hideo Yamamoto. The others in the delegation were Prof Tatsuka Toda of the Faculty of Engineering, Assoc Prof Victor Kuwabara of the Faculty of Education and Mr Hiroki Shimoide, the Administrative Director of International Affairs Office.

SUJ delegation's courtesy call on the Chancellor of OUM, Tun Jeanne Abdullah, at Putrajaya

The SUJ delegation began their two-day visit with a courtesy call on the Chancellor of Open University Malaysia (OUM), Tun Jeanne Abdullah, at Tun Abdullah Badawi’s office at Putrajaya.

Following the meeting with Tun Jeanne Abdullah, the SUJ delegation headed to the Chancellery Building of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi to attend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony. The MoU is a major step forward to consolidate the collaborative efforts between SUJ and UKM. On hand to sign the MoU on behalf of UKM was Vice Chancellor Dato' Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin while SUJ was represented by President Yamamoto.

Signing Memorandum of Understanding	President Yamamoto conferred the Soka University Award of Highest Honour upon Dr Sharifah Hapsah

Collaboration between the two universities had been going on for several years in the field of marine biology thanks to the joint research efforts of SUJ’s Prof Toda and UKM’s Prof Othman Ross. Both professors met some 17 years ago and have since then collaborated in research on tropical marine ecology and biodiversity. To date, they have produced 52 academic articles and supervised 4 doctorate, 15 masters and 30 undergraduate students.

In her speech, Dr Sharifah Hapsah said, “The MoU we are signing today will facilitate the application of research grants, exchanges as well as co-supervision of students.” She also hoped that an annual meeting to share and exchange ideas and research results would be held.

SUJ delegation with the Vice Chancellor of OUM, Prof Tan Sri Anuwar Ali and other representatives of OUM

President Yamamoto, in his speech, hoped that “both universities will further deepen our friendships, and that this will help the further development of both universities as well as the friendship between our two nations.”

In conjunction with this occasion, the founder of Soka University, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda also sent a message expressing his delight and appreciation that the educational principle of UKM resonates with his conviction that “A university exists for the sake of those who are unable to attend a university and a genuine university fosters leaders who devote themselves for the ordinary people.”

Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon was conferred the Soka University Award of Highest Honour

On the following day, February 25, the SUJ delegation met with the Vice Chancellor of Open University Malaysia, Prof Tan Sri Anuwar Ali and the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon. In recognition of their contribution to education, culture, humanism and peace, the two vice-chancellors were also conferred the Soka University Award of Highest Honour. The recipients expressed their determination to work more closely with Soka University, collaborating in various academic fields.

During the two-day visit, the SUJ delegation also visited Tadika Seri Soka and Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, where they had brief exchanges with the staff.