Professor Wallace Ewart, former Provost of the University of Ulster’s Belfast campus is to be honoured today by the Japanese Ambassador for his contribution to the foster of cultural and economic ties between Northern Ireland and Japan over the past two decades.

The honour is to be conferred at a reception in Belfast’s Hilton hotel this evening (5pm).

Professor Ewart played a key role in promoting Northern Ireland as an investment location for Japanese companies. In his role as Dean of the faculty of Business and Management, Professor Ewart launched in 1984 an International MBA that brought high-flying Japanese students to Northern Ireland. Four years later, he introduced a BA degree in Business Studies with Japanese that enabled students from Northern Ireland to spend a year in Japan.

On the cultural front, Professor Ewart raised substantial six-figure funds to support the Northern Ireland programme in the Japan Festivals in 1991 and 2001, and also developed innovative educational exchange projects between Northern Ireland and Japanese high schools via the Internet.

Ambassador Orita said: “It is no exaggeration to say that the tremendous progress evident in the development of cordial and growing ties between Japan and Northern Ireland could not have been achieved without Professor Ewart’s priceless contribution.

"It gives me great pleasure to present him with the Ambassador’s Commendation in recognition all he has done.”

Accepting the honour, Professor Ewart said: “Your Excellency, thank you for the honour you have bestowed on me this evening, I accept it in all humility, being mindful of the many others, here in Northern and Japan, who are working towards the same goal.”

The reception was attended by representatives from the Department for Employment and Learning, the Department of Education, the Department for Enterprise Trade and Investment, and from Northern Ireland’s education and library boards.

His wife, Madame Orita, accompanied Ambassador Orita during his visit.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk