NUML students impress Japanese ambassador

Japanese language students presented exceptional linguistic and cultural performances on Wednesday at the Japanese Language Speech Contest held at National University of Modern Languages (NUML).

A Japanese play on the theme of the dying joint family system and an emerging generation detached from socio-cultural norms was performed successfully by the students.

Students also performed songs and made speeches in Japanese with perfect ease.

Naveed Tariq secured the first position in the Japanese Speech Competition. Umer Farooq came in second and Naeem Khan bagged the third prize.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Oe said, “the ability of Pakistani people to learn, speak and communicate in many languages really surprises me.”

He said that he had decided to speak in English at the occasion, but after observing the Japanese language proficiency of the participating students he felt comfortable speaking in Japanese.

“This is the first time that I am delivering a speech in Japanese outside Japan,” he added.

Hiroshi highlighted NUML’s exemplary role in promoting global languages and cultures and in strengthening understanding between nations.

Language learning will enhance cultural, economic and political collaboration between Pakistan and Japan, the ambassador maintained.

Director General (DG) NUML Azam Jamal said that “NUML prides itself on being the only Pakistani university that teaches 25 national and international languages and organizes their speech contests”.

“In these speech contests the contestants do not merely deliver speeches but also present cultural performances. This helps our students learn about many languages”, he added.

Azam Jamal and Hiroshi Oe distributed prizes and certificates amongst the winners and participants.

The event was organized by the Department of Japanese Language and it was also attended by Japanese Cultural Counselor Toshikazu Isomura, Japanese Department Head Dr Anwer Mahmood, Directors, Deans, Heads, Faculty members and students.