Passion for Japanese language and culture brought precious rewards to Miss Vivien Ng Pui-ling and Miss Yuriko Leung Hor-ling, graduates of CityU's Associate of Arts in Applied Japanese Studies. With the sponsorship of Japan's Ministry of Education and Science, Miss Ng and Miss Leung achieved an opportunity to take up a one-year study at Hokkaiko University and Osaka University, respectively, commencing in October. 

A total of six local university students were honoured with Japanese government scholarships this year. The scholarships covers tuition fees, return airfare and a monthly allowance of HK$9,000 each.

Miss Hikaru Lau Pui-ki, currently a second-year student in BBA (Hons) International Business (Japanese Studies) in the Department of Management, won the same scholarship in 2002. She spent a fruitful year studying at Hokkaido University and returned with many impressive and unforgettable experiences.

"My eyes were opened to the world, my horizons broadened, and my view of the Japanese people has changed," asserted Hikaru. One of her special memories from Japan is of the time when an elderly Japanese man apologized to her for what the Japanese had done to the Chinese in the Sino-Japanese war. "I hope I can do something to diminish misunderstandings between the Chinese and the Japanese through cultural exchange," Hikaru added.

Fascinated by Japanese popular culture -- comic books in particular, Yuriko Leung is looking forward to the study trip with excitement and enthusiasm. "I hope to return with a deeper understanding of Japanese history and culture," she said. "It'll be interesting to find out how Japanese and Chinese people differ in their ways of life and thinking." Yuriko is interested in embarking on a career that helps promote Japanese and Chinese exchange.

Both Yuriko and Vivien are grateful to their instructor, Dr Rita Takahashi, Senior Lecturer in the Division of Language Studies, for her guidance and support. Dr Takahashi praised the students for their excellent academic performance, positive attitude to learning and pleasant personality. "I believe that every student has his/her potential. As a teacher, what I do is help my students bring out their best by sailing through the written tests and the interviews required to win the scholarship," she said.

In the past three years, a total of five students from CityU's Associate of Arts in Applied Japanese Studies have obtained sponsorships to study at Hokkaido University, Osaka University and Nagasaki University.