Press Release
2014/10/10
[14-14] Japanese Ambassador’s Commendation presented to Ms Karen Ruddock, Post-Primary Languages Initiative, Department of Education and Skills
On 9 October 2014, Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, presented the Ambassador’s Commendation to Ms. Karen Ruddock, National Coordinator, Post-Primary Languages Initiative (PPLI), Department of Education and Skills (DES), for her outstanding contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Ireland.
Ms Ruddock took part in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme in Iwate Prefecture from 1991 to 1994. Then between 1996 and 1999, she studied at International Christian University in Tokyo as a Japanese Government Scholarship student. Following this, she was a Japanese language lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, and since 2009 she has been the National Coordinator of the PPLI.
At the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Atsumi said, “I am very pleased to present Ms Ruddock with the Ambassador’s Commendation and look forward to her greater success in the years ahead”, and continued, “With the help of Ms Ruddock’s effort, the number of learners of Japanese in Ireland has risen to approximately 2,800 - in relation to the size of the population, this makes Ireland number one out of the 28 EU countries”.
Ms Ruddock said, “This commendation is for my contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Ireland, however, I wouldn't be receiving it if it wasn't for the amazing possibilities afforded to me by the Japanese Government to work and study in Japan. For those precious opportunities I am extremely grateful. I also have to mention the amazing team of Japanese teachers that I work with in PPLI. They do phenomenal work in schools teaching the Japanese language, inspiring a love of Japan among their students, and broadening their world perspective”.
Welcoming news of the award, the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan TD, said: "This reflects the investment, support and encouragement which Japanese language learning has received here in Ireland. I would like to thank the Japanese Government for its assistance in the development of Japanese provision in our schools, and I look forward to continuing this co-operation in relation to Japanese language teaching".
The Ambassador’s Commendation is awarded by Ambassadors of Japan to individuals and/or groups who have made a distinguished contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and their own countries. Ms. Ruddock’s commendation is the eighth presented by Ambassadors of Japan to Ireland, and the third to be presented by the current Ambassador.
Ms Ruddock took part in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme in Iwate Prefecture from 1991 to 1994. Then between 1996 and 1999, she studied at International Christian University in Tokyo as a Japanese Government Scholarship student. Following this, she was a Japanese language lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, and since 2009 she has been the National Coordinator of the PPLI.
At the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Atsumi said, “I am very pleased to present Ms Ruddock with the Ambassador’s Commendation and look forward to her greater success in the years ahead”, and continued, “With the help of Ms Ruddock’s effort, the number of learners of Japanese in Ireland has risen to approximately 2,800 - in relation to the size of the population, this makes Ireland number one out of the 28 EU countries”.
Ms Ruddock said, “This commendation is for my contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Ireland, however, I wouldn't be receiving it if it wasn't for the amazing possibilities afforded to me by the Japanese Government to work and study in Japan. For those precious opportunities I am extremely grateful. I also have to mention the amazing team of Japanese teachers that I work with in PPLI. They do phenomenal work in schools teaching the Japanese language, inspiring a love of Japan among their students, and broadening their world perspective”.
Welcoming news of the award, the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan TD, said: "This reflects the investment, support and encouragement which Japanese language learning has received here in Ireland. I would like to thank the Japanese Government for its assistance in the development of Japanese provision in our schools, and I look forward to continuing this co-operation in relation to Japanese language teaching".
The Ambassador’s Commendation is awarded by Ambassadors of Japan to individuals and/or groups who have made a distinguished contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and their own countries. Ms. Ruddock’s commendation is the eighth presented by Ambassadors of Japan to Ireland, and the third to be presented by the current Ambassador.