Okayama University

LANGUAGE
JAPANESECHINESE
MENU

Public Symposium “Africa and Japan”

March 11, 2010

On the 22nd of January, a symposium named “Strengthening Japan and Africa’s Relations for Sustainable Development: Role of Education” was held at the 50th Anniversary Hall.

The Symposium aimed to help participants, through an educational perspective, consider various issues within African countries, and gain knowledge about Africa that may not be learned in Japan otherwise.

The event was co-hosted by the University International Center, and the African Students Association of Okayama University as part of the University’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Nearly 150 students, university staff, and interested people participated in the event.

Included within the Symposium were speeches regarding the role of education for sustainable development by Dr. Meselhy Ragab (Professor of Pharmacognosy at Cairo University, Cultural Attaché of Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Tokyo, Japan), Dr. Hideki Yamamoto (associate professor of the Graduate School of Environmental Science) who has been doing research about Africa, and been there many times, and Dr. Hirofumi Abe (Dean of the Graduate School of Environment, and the UNESCO Chair-Holder of Okayama University).

Information display area about Africa including pictures, objects, and information about their ethnic costumes, instruments and foods, attracted the attention of the attendants in lobby.

Furthermore, singing and dancing performed by African students between the speeches, provided the attendants a great opportunity to understand African culture.

After the symposium, Dr. Meselhy Ragab paid a courtesy visit to the University President, Dr. Kyozo Chiba.

The two parties talked about E-JUST (Egypt–Japan University of Science and Technology), which was supported by the Japanese government, and reaffirmed to build an even stronger bilateral relationship between Egypt and Okayama University.

Contact: International Affairs Division at Academic Affairs Department
Tel 086-251-7044

ACADEMIC YEAR