Chungbuk National University in South Korea Confers Honorary Doctorate on Daisaku Ikeda
Honorary doctorate degree certificate in Korean and English
On April 28, 2022, Chungbuk National University (CBNU) in South Korea conferred an Honorary Doctor of Education on Daisaku Ikeda for his contribution to the promotion of world peace and human rights and fostering global citizens. The conferral, held at the CBNU auditorium in Cheongju City, was attended by CBNU President Kim Su-Kab, Graduate School Dean Chun Dal Young, as well as Korea Soka Gakkai International (KSGI) General Director Kim In Soo and KSGI representatives. The degree certificate was entrusted to Soka University President Masashi Suzuki, who received it on behalf of Mr. Ikeda, the founder of Soka University.
CBNU, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in
2021, has exchange programs with over 260 institutions in 50 countries. In
recent years, it has garnered attention for being rated as the top national
university for five consecutive years in a national student satisfaction
survey.
In his conferment speech, President Kim stated
that Mr. Ikeda has greatly contributed to world peace and human rights through
his leadership of a grassroots people’s movement, as well as to the promotion
of friendship between Korea and Japan. As a founder of educational
institutions, he has instilled the ethic of global citizenship in students and
nurtured individuals who are committed to the welfare of society. He has
advanced culture and the arts through institutions such as the Tokyo Fuji Art
Museum and the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, as well as engaging in
dialogue with prominent individuals from all sectors of society. It is in recognition
of Dr. Ikeda’s manifold contributions to fostering leaders and promoting
education and culture that Chungbuk National University has awarded him an
honorary doctorate in education, said President Kim.
The CBNU Seoul Symphonietta performs during the conferral ceremony
In a message conveying his appreciation for
the honor, Mr. Ikeda stated that, as a university founder, he took a deep
interest in the founding stories of universities the world over and had been
impressed to learn that the establishment of Chungbuk during the tragic Korean
War had been made possible by the donations of local people who believed in the
urgency of training leaders of the future. Propelled by these mothers and
fathers and their ardent desire for peace, university construction went ahead
amidst the fierce conflict of the war. Mr. Ikeda said he was honored to receive
the honorary doctorate in education from an institution that has upheld this
lofty founding spirit.
The Soka University founder went on to share
that education, which is the wellspring of value creation, is the source from which
each young person can tap unlimited creative power to establish a happy and
fruitful life. He exhorted the Korean university to continue to pioneer a
mighty flow of people of ability. He also spoke of the enduring value of
dialogue and exchanges of culture and education based on mutual respect and
learning.
The conferral of this recent honorary
doctorate from the Korean university is the 400th academic honor Mr. Ikeda has
received to date.
Commemorative photo-taking during the conferral ceremony. (CBNU President Kim is standing in the foreground (fifth from right) with Soka University President Suzuki standing next to him with the certificate in hand (sixth from right)
[Adapted from articles in the April 29 and 30, 2022, issues of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
