2026/10/5

On Thursday, October 1, a ceremony was held to present a scholarship certificate for the 16th Kyoto-Mexico Friendship Program to Naomi Maldonado Negrete. Kunio Nanbu, Representative Director of NBL Co., Ltd. and Executive Committee Chairperson for the Friendship Program, presented the scholarship certificate, and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors Toshiro Kita presented the scholarship list.

Upon receiving the scholarship certificate and scholarship list, Ms. Maldonado Negrete, though nervous, clearly expressed her feelings in Japanese: "I am truly grateful to have been selected as a scholarship recipient. Keeping in my heart the wishes of my great-grandparents and grandmother who overcame hardships in Mexico, I have come to Japan in my grandmother's stead. My motto is 'fall seven times, stand up eight.' I want to study to the best of my ability through this valuable opportunity so that I can overcome the language barrier and become a bridge connecting Japan and Mexico."

In response, Mr. Nanbu remarked, "Naomi's speech was deeply moving. Your ability to face challenges despite feeling nervous is a wonderful strength, so please do not be afraid and use this experience as a steppingstone for the future. I wish you a safe year ahead, filled with the best possible learning experiences."

Next, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors Takuya Morita said, "Do not be afraid of feeling nervous, enjoy your life in Japan, and become a bridge between Japan and Mexico through your talent for design and interactions with other students."

Mr. Kita also offered warm words of encouragement, saying, "I hope you will have a meaningful year while experiencing Kyoto's historic, refined designs, and gain valuable experiences outside the university."

*The Kyoto-Mexico Friendship Program is a human resources cultivation program wherein KUFS invites to Kyoto descendants of Japanese immigrants in Mexico, who train to serve as liaisons between Japan and Mexico. KUFS provides support for students who enroll at the University's Japanese Studies Center for International Students for one year.

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