The symposium on the theme of "For social progress and prosperity" will hear more than a hundred valuable academic papers.

Present there were Vice Premier Kim Yong Jin, Chairman of the Education Commission Kim Sung Du and officials, teachers and researchers of the university.

Also present were Prof. and Dr. Elmar Kulke, dean of a faculty who is a delegate of Humboldt University of Germany, a delegation of Muenster College of Applied Sciences of Germany led by Head of a department Martin Weischer, a delegation of Chinese Ministry of Education led by Director Liu Baoli, a delegation of Liaoning University of China led by Prof. and Dr. Huang Taiyan, president of the university, a delegation of Yanbian University of China led by Rector Pak Yong Ho, a delegation of Jilin University of China led by Prof. Han Xiping, director of Marxist School, a delegation of the People's University of China led by Prof. Niu Weilin, permanent deputy secretary of the university party committee, Associate Prof. Chen Weipeng, delegate of Qinghua University of China, Prof. Pak Kon Il, delegate of the Academy of Social Sciences of China, Marceli Burdelski, delegate of Gdansk University and vice-president of the International Science Association of Poland, and Kim Jong, dele

gate of Joson University of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan..

Present there on invitation were staff members of foreign embassies here.

There was an opening address and congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony.

Song Ja Rip, president of Kim Il Sung University and minister of Higher Education, said that the academic symposium will offer an opportunity to have a brisk exchange of successes and experience gained by teachers and scientists of Kim Il Sung University and foreign universities and scientific research institutions and widely exchange their views.

He expressed belief that the symposium will be an occasion to strengthen friendship bonds between themselves and boost exchange and cooperation.

Vice Premier of the Cabinet Kim Yong Jin noted that it is natural for educators and scientists to take the lead of social progress and promote prosperity.

He said the DPRK government has paid great attention to rapidly developing education and science and technology as required by the world trend.

The floor was taken by the heads of the delegations of the Chinese Ministry of Education and Yanbian University of China and the delegate of University of Gdansk of Poland. They congratulated the opening of the symposium saying that they were honored to take part in the symposium.

They expressed the conviction that the participants would make positive contribution to the work for social progress and prosperity through the symposium.

The participants looked round the photos showing the history of Kim Il Sung University which developed into the supreme temple of Juche-oriented education and science.