Rector of the University of La Serena receives the highest distinction from the Japanese government given to foreigners

rector medal

The Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, received the distinction of the Order of the Rising Sun of Golden Rays with Hanging Ribbon, presented in the name of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, for his contribution to the dissemination of Japanese culture and development of Japanese language teaching in Chile.

The highest authority of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, received this Monday, May 6, 2019, the decoration that the Japanese Emperor has granted since 1981 to foreigners through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. This is the distinction of the Order of the Rising Sun, Golden Rays with Hanging Ribbon, conferred on those who promote Japanese identity.

Since his role as Rector, the academic has promoted different initiatives at the University of La Serena and the Coquimbo Region to strengthen the brotherhood between both countries. The “Chilean-Japanese Friendship Week” stands out, today called “Japan Weekend” which, for 12 consecutive years, and through activities such as training workshops in Japanese culture, exhibitions, conferences, contests and artistic shows, have generated growing interest. of the community to understand this ancient culture.

In addition to his continuous contact and participation in activities with the Japanese Embassy, ​​he has also had the opportunity to greet Prince Akishino during his visits to Chile in 1997 and 2017, on the occasion of the commemorations of the 100 and 120 years of bilateral relations. between both nations.

In 1987, the Rector of the University of La Serena obtained a scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan (Monbukagakusho), which allowed him to live 7 years in the eastern country, during which time he had the opportunity to complete the Master's degree. and Doctorate in Engineering at the Nagaoka University of Technology (Nagaoka Gijutsu Kagaku Daigaku) ​​in Nagaoka. His stay also included Japanese language studies and a year of internship at the Fukuda Gumi Design and Construction Company in Nigata.

Honor Ceremony

The award ceremony for the Order of the Rising Sun, Golden Rays with Hanging Ribbon, took place in Santiago, specifically at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan in Chile, Yoshinobu Hiraishi. At the beginning of the event, the Ambassador commented that “it is a great pleasure and honor for me to receive you today, here in my residence, to celebrate the well-deserved decoration of the Rector of the University of La Serena, Nibaldo Avilés, in recognition of his enormous contribution to the development of Japanese language teaching and, at the same time. to the dissemination of Japanese culture in Chile.”

He also reviewed the merits of Rector Avilés to be honored by the Emperor Emeritus of Japan, ending his speech with a quote from the poet Gabriela Mistral: "To say friendship is to say complete understanding, quick trust and long memory; that is, fidelity."

For his part, Rector Avilés made his speech in Japanese, thanking the Emperor, Ambassador and the Japanese nation for such a high honor conferred and highlighting the learnings developed during his seven-year stay in Japan, and the work that since that date and until Now, it has developed to maintain ties with Japan and promote its culture and language in Chile, especially in the Coquimbo Region.

Along with the delivery ceremony, an honorary lunch was held, ending with the traditional tea ceremony, performed by the Ambassador himself.

Dr. Nibaldo Avilés is a native of Ovalle, where he was named a distinguished citizen in 2014. In 2010 he was awarded as an illustrious visitor to the city of San Juan, Argentina. He is a Civil Builder, Civil Engineer and Execution Engineer in Business Administration with a Master's and Doctorate in Engineering and an MBA. His specialty includes the topics of reinforced concrete, steel structures and resistance of materials. He was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of La Serena from 1999 to 2006 and assumed the rectorship in 2006 and has been re-elected three times.

About the Order of the Rising Sun (Kyokujitsu-shō)

It was created in 1875 by Emperor Mutsuhito (1852-1912), who began the Meiji Era, being the first Japanese order to reward military and civil services to the country. It is comparable to the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, a British Order of Chivalry founded in 1725.

Currently, the Order of the Rising Sun is structured into six classes:

  • First Class, Grand Cordon.
  • Second Class, Gold and Silver Star.
  • Third Class, Golden Rays with Hanging Ribbon.
  • Fourth Class, Golden Rays with Rose Window.
  • Fifth Class, Rays of Gold and Silver.
  • Sixth Class, Silver Rays

Since 1981, it has also been awarded to foreign citizens and its diploma is signed by the emperor himself. Also in 2003, the possibility of awarding this recognition to women was established. The awards of the Order of the Rising Sun, in their different categories, recognize people dedicated to promoting Japanese culture or bringing Japanese society closer to other peoples.