Mr. Tobita Minoru is a Japanese lecturer, teaching Japanese at LHU. Up to now, he has been with LHU for nearly 18 years. Before returning home to spend his old age peacefully, he donates the scholarship worth VND 100 million to Japanese Studies majors .

Lac Hong: Ardent love and great loyalty

Before coming to Vietnam, Mr. Tobita had been to many different countries. He revealed "When I traveled abroad, people often asked me "Are you Vietnamese?" Not just one person asked once, but so many people, asked many times. So, I think I must be Vietnamese. Therefore, in August 2005, I went to Vietnam to continue my teaching after I retired".

Mr. Tobita has been teaching Japanese (mainly listening and speaking) at LHU for nearly 18 years. Every year, he spends some time with his family in Japan, then comes back to Bien Hoa to work. “Every time I return to Bien Hoa, I feel very comfortable and peaceful. LHU is like my second home”, shared Mr. Tobita.  

 Representing LHU, Rector Lam Thanh Hien respectfully presented gratitude flowers to express his deep thanks to Mr. Tobita Minoru

He looks more and more like Vietnamese

As a Japanese person, Mr. Tobita is a very strict, meticulous, and highly disciplined person who loves working too. He simply lives in an apartment about 2 km from LHU. Every day, he walks to work and comes back home late in the afternoon. He is strict with himself but relaxed, enthusiastic and sociable with his students. MA. Nguyen Thi Nhu Thuong - Head of Japanese Studies Department said "Mr. Tobita is very cheerful, extremely responsible at work and well-mannered in social relationships. He always gives his students and colleagues enthusiastic instructions. His way of eating is also simple and like Vietnamese people. He likes to eat rustic dishes such as spinach stir-fried with garlic, and he especially loves to drink 333 beer”.

"I am so lucky to study with Mr. Tobita during the 3 semesters. He is close, dedicated and gentle like a grandfather. But he was extremely strict when the class made mistakes. At times like that, he just kept quiet and explained to us. I was so impressed by his teaching style since he carefully adjusted our pronunciation from the beginning. He asked us to practice again and again, but definitely did not skip it. He also has a talent for playing the flute and is not shy to show that talent to his students" expressed Phan Thi Hong Anh - a fourth year student majoring in Japanese Studies.

This December, Mr. Tobita will say goodbye to all staff and students of LHU to return home. He is now 82 years old, and he has devoted three-fourths of his life to the cause of education. As for LHU, he has spent nearly 18 years working here. 

 An intimate conversation between Dr. Lam Thanh Hien - Rector,  Dr. Nguyen Huu Nghi - Dean and Mr. Tobita

Before parting, Mr. Tobita presents the scholarship worth VND 100 million to students majoring in Japanese Studies. This scholarship will operate from December 12, 2022.

Students and lecturers of Japanese Studies Department, Faculty of Oriental Studies sent their greetings to Mr. Tobita at the gratitude ceremony