The Gifu Regional Council for the Promotion of International Exchange (Gifu University handles the administrative work for the council) hosted the “20th Japanese Speech Competition by International Students Residing in Gifu Prefecture” at Kakamigahara Campus, Chubu Gakuin University (Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture) on Saturday, December 4, 2021. The 20th competition was organized by Chubu Gakuin University in 2021.
Since the start in 2001, the competition aims to raise international students' interest in Japanese and enhance their Japanese skills. Out of our concerns for COVID-19 infections, the number of audience was limited, but the competition was livestreamed by YouTube for wider viewers.
After opening speeches by President Yoshinori Furuta of Chubu Gakuin University (Chairperson of Working Committee) and President Hisataka Moriwaki of Gifu University (Council President), nine students from four countries who are studying at four universities (Gifu University, Chubu Gakuin University, Chubu Gakuin College, and Nakanihon Automotive College) gave a seven-minute speech in Japanese. All of their speeches demonstrated the students' sincere efforts of studying Japanese.
After every speech, many questions were raised from judges, and active back and forth exchanges between the judges and speakers continued for a while.
Prize Winners of the 20th Japanese Speech Competition by International Students Residing in Gifu Prefecture:
Highest Award:
- Ms. Go Sian Huai from Gifu University
Speech title: "The True Beauty of Fictional World"
Award for Excellence:
- Ms. Pithakote Ambika from Nakanihon Automotive College
Speech title: "Importance of Empathy for Others Learned through My Study Abroad"
- Mr. Tran Van Chung from Gifu University
Speech title: "COVID-19 and New Normal"
-Ms. Truong Thanh Hien from Chubu Gakuin College
Speech title: "We all have ups and downs in life"
Award winners
Group photo
