電気通信大学60年史

第6節　電気通信大学に初の留学生

日本が第二次世界大戦以前から、東洋において先進国であったという事実は否定し難い。そもそも日本が太平洋戦争に突入してしまった要因の一つとして、アジアの最先進国日本の"おごり"をあげることもあながち問違いとは言えないであろう。ただ実際に先進国であった証拠として、戦前・戦中を通じて日本の大学に学びにやって来るアジアの若者が多くいた点は無視できない。

さて、第二次世界大戦の結果、日本は経済的にも、あるいは文化的にも発展途上国へと下落した。前者の意味は、生産力、財の保有状況等からも明白であり、後者については戦争そのものが、一つの文化と他の文化の争いという面を持つものという認識に立つならば、"神国日本"思想は、欧米的合理思想に敗れたといってよいと思われるからである。 ただ、戦後日本は世界に類例を見ない経済的発展を示すに至った。また、いわゆる学業の盛んな国として、相応の設備、人的資源を持つと認められるようになったのは、昭和30年代の中ごろ、あの大戦からわずか10数年後のこととしてよいであろう。戦前、戦中のようにアジアの学生が日本に留学にやって来るという状況が眼にもとまるようになったのもこのころである。

電気通信大学でも1961年（昭和36年）4月、5人の留学生を迎えている。国費留学生としてパキスタン、ベトナム、カンボジアから1人ずつ、インドネシア賠償留学生が2人というのがその内訳である。これらの学生たちは、当時の高野一夫助教授（数学）の研究室に引き取られ、そこで日本事情、日本語、基礎知識を学習した。彼らにとって電気通信大学はどのような"大学"であったのだろうか。このことに対してパキスタからの留学生サルワルジャンは、電気通信大学新聞（昭和36年6月3日号）に次のような極めて好意的ではあるが、日本に対して、また日本人学生に対して耳の痛い、しかし正確な認識を語ってくれている

MY IMPRESSION ON THIS UNIVERSITY

Sarwarjan

University of Electro-Communications popularly known as Denki Tsushin Daigaku is a new name not only to the Foreign Students but also to many Japanese as well. I firmly believe, it is not low standard of education or its poor facilities, but mainly because of its young age. Before I entered this University, I tried to know every ins and outs of the University from different sources. Once I came to the University in person with my two other friends to have a practical look of the University, the first member of the teaching staff we met was Dr. Masaki Hirashima, Head of the Dept. of Electronic Engineering. He was kind enough to explain us everything and show various facilities there. I was indescribably pleased at his attractive personality and kindness which are some of the factors of my being here as a regular student.

To be frank, I had many misgivings about this Institutions but now I fully realize that those were due to lack of true informations. I Iike this University not because I am a student of this University but because of many congenial factors.

The University has a very beautiful location which the very few Universities have in Japan. It far away from the noisy and bustling metropolis of Tokyo and surrounded by slenden, green and comparatively tall trees and meadows and meadowsweets. It is in serene and peaceful atmosphere most fit for academic institutions. Anyone early in the morning can enjoy small birds singing gaily, chirping lovingly and flying from branch to branch being kissed by the peeping rays of the soothing morning sun.

One thing more worth mentioning is the friendly nature of all the students, officials, teachers and even the President himself. The President called me in his room and talked to me like a close friend. I am deeply moved by his affectionate nature. I felt at home all the time I was with him. Simultaneously, I firmly believe, his fatherly affection, scholarly guidance and intimate talk is invaluable to the Foreign Students here in this University to build up their future career bright and flourishing. For all these and other reasons this place is very propitious for successful study, I deem.

現在、電気通信大学が、"a very beautiful location" を保持しているかどうか、調布近辺の都市化に伴って判断は難しいが、近代化の宿命に従って、その"facilities"は、以前にも増して"poor"ではないと言って問違いないと思われる。

ところで、サルワルジャンは、彼の母国パキスタンから、わが60年史のために、当時の思い出と今後の電気通信大学について2、3の提言を寄せてくれている。それを、そのままここに掲げ、遠地の友人の好意に答えようと思う。

A Few Words On My Alma-mater

Sarwarjan

In my opinion, for a man's complete identification three things are necessary, firstly his name, secondly his education and tirdly his professor. The first one i. e. the name is not very important in the sense that one does not require any skill to acquire it.

It is something by which the parents call their child to distinguish their child from other children. The second one is the most important one in one's life, because the success of the third one depends on the achivement of the second one. In this respect one's Alma-mater in his temple and naturally he feels I proud in the good name of his Alma-mater. The same way I feel myself intimately connected with the whole affairs of the University of Electro-Communications, though physically I am thousands of Kilometers away.

I felt sad when I came to know that many of my professors retired and left the University. Equally I was delighted when to meet he ex-students of the University holding important positions in the big companies of Japan. An university is like a big family producing generations after generations of nation builders and keeping its mark in the history of human civilizations. Indeed it is a matter of great happiness to learn that the University is going to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year. I feel proud to have been given the chance to write a few words in this auspecious occation.

Before I came to Japan, I did not have any knowledge, about Japanese Educational System. Symply the some advancement of Japan in modern science and technology and Japan's role as a leading industrial country of the world inspired me to come to Japan. Frankly speaking, for my study the University of Electro-Commuications popularly known as 電気通信大学　was not my selection.

Ministry of Educaton of Japan made the decision that I should study in the University of Electro-Communications. At first, I was somewhat disappointed at this selection, because every one desires to study in an institution which is widely to all. However, my disappointment gradually disappeared when I came to know more and more about the University in course of time. The niversity is well regarted in the industrial and technological world of Japan. It feel proud in leaving one of the first leatch of foreigh students of the University. Now, the shape of the University is greatly changing both academically and internally as it is admitting increasingly large number of foreigh students from various countries of the world.

During my stay in the University, I did not encounter any difficulty in any way, but felt somewhat isolated as the Japanese counterparts were not very social and they hardly associated with the foreign students in their class. It is highly desirable that they should cast off this type of inertia and associate freely with the foreign students, play with them and study with them whenever possible. It would be beneficial for both the parties. It is a matter of great happiness to see the University in its present from with modern multistoried building with new departments and latest research facilities. I wish this trued would continue unabated both in dimension and academic standard.

Availing of this opportunity, I would like to suggest a few points.

1. An International Section by the name of "University of Electro-Communications International Division" along with an International Hall leaded by a professor may be created. This will help to solve the problems of the foreign students in a centrally organized way and also widen the scope of both academic and extra　academic activities. Japanese and foreign students will be able to utilize this facility for common activity and closer understanding. Occassionally exhibitions and film shows of each country may be held and seminars discussions on different topics of each country may be organized to give real significance to the international exchange of students.
2. This International Division may undertake publications of an English Digest of the technical publications in Japanese of the University and send it to the various universities particularly to the universities of the countries of which students are studying in UEC. This will make the UEC widely known abroad. It is necessary because there are countries which sometimes hesitate to recognise the degree of the comparatively little known universities.
   

   As an after service, the English Digest way be sent to each returned foreign students to keep them abreast of the latest technological progress made in Japan and elsewhere.

3. A Iist of the Alumni of the UEC may be prepared with the name, adress and present position each individual is holding. This will help to know one another including the foreign alumni even after their return. A Iarge family of UEC will be born.

The education I received from the University of Electro-Communications was very worthwhile. This is the age of electronics and electronics is dominating over all other sciesces and engineering. Without advanced telecommunication facilities, advancement in other fields cannot be conceived of. In this regard education from this University is very useful. First I was offered an appointment in the department of telecmmunication, Goverment of the Islanic Republic of Pakistan and later I joined Television Corporation serving both in Dacca and Karachi. At present I am serving in the Bangladesh Standards Institution （BDSI） which is an important organization of the Goverment of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh and working fowards the furtherance of industrialization of the country.

I wish the University of Electro-Communications will play a prominent role worthly of its name in the academic and technological world of not only Japan but of the whole world.

Before I close, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to and thank the committee for the celebration of 60th anniversay of UEC, particularly to Psofessor Dr. Kazuo Takano who kindly asked me to write for the 60th anniversary issue.