CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
For UN Vesak Day 2019
As the President of the University of the West, an institution of higher learning affiliated with the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, I would like to express my sincerest congratulation to the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2019 in Vietnam. The University of the West is very happy to be part of the celebration because of our long-term commitment to the theme of this year’s celebration. As a Buddhist affiliated university, our academic programs have a distinctive feature of highlighting the Buddhist approach to global leadership and sustainable societies. In our general education program, we emphasize mindful education and Buddhist values to cultivate responsible future leaders for sustainable peace. In our psychology program, we explore the Buddhist approach to harmonious families, healthcare, and social wellbeing. In our business program, we investigate the role of Buddhism in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Buddhist approach to responsible consumption and sustainable development.
We look forward to meeting with participants from all over the world to foster co-operation among Buddhist communities and to work with other institutions to develop Buddhist solutions to global crises. On behalf of the University of the West, I send my best wish for the success of the UNDV 2019 Celebrations and Academic Conference in Vietnam.

Otto Chang
University of the West