"Japan and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Heading Towards a New Era"

• Opening Salutation by Director Urano
  　　　　　　 〜The Establishment of the Middle East General Research Institute〜

  Prof. Yoshiyori Urano Director, Middle East General Research Institute at Waseda University
  
  

• Welcome Salutation by the University President

  Prof. Katsuhiko Shirai President, Waseda University
  
  

• Congratulatory Speech

  H.E. Mr. Yoshiro Mori　Former Prime Minister　(tentative)
  
  

• Congratulatory Speec

  H.E. Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Tokyo
  
  

• Congratulatory Speech

  Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hassan Alzeer Director, Arabic Islamic Institute
  
  
  

• Opening Talk 〜The Evolving Kingdom _ Saudi Arabia〜

  Speakers：
  Prof. Satoru Nakamura　Graduate School of Inter-cultural Studies, Kobe University
  Prof. Keiko Sakurai　School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
  
  One of the most conservative of Middle Eastern countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rapidly modernizing, keeping pace with the rapid progress of globalization. There is an inherent uncertainty within the nation regarding how the conventional aspects and ideology which have been maintained in Saudi Arabia for years and the current modernization policy which aims to improve the overall quality of life through the active participation in the global economy. It reminds us of the Westernization that took place in Japan during the Meiji Restoration. Prof. Sakurai of Waseda University and Prof. Nakamura from Kobe University, top-class experts in the field of Middle Eastern Culture, will comment on the drastic changes occurring in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, mentioning specific examples.
  
  
• 《Lunch Break》

• Keynote Speech Session
  　　　　　　 〜Japan and the Supply and Demand of Energy in the World〜

  Proposed Themes : 〜The World Energy Roadmap〜
  Speaker：Mr. Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, Senior Vice President, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
  
  
• 〜Trends in Energy Usage in Japan〜
  　　　　　　　　　 Speaker：Mr. Mikio Sasaki　Chairman, Mitsubishi Corporation
• 〜Energy Consumption & the Importance of Green Technology〜
  　　　　　　　　　 Speaker：Mr. Haruyuki Niimi, Chairman, Showa Shell Sekiyu K. K.
• 〜The Expectations toward University regarding to International Cooperation〜
  Speaker：Mr. Yoshihiro Shigehisa, Chairman and CEO, JGC Corporation
  How will the supply and demand of petroleum change in the 21st century? For the Keynote Speech, we have invited a delegate from Saudi Aramco, a global energy supplier, who will present their corporate strategy and forecast regarding the supply and demand of the world's energy. Japanese energy resource-related companies will discuss not only national energy strategy but also on the roles expected of universities, in particular, with regard to science and technology, human development, and global cooperation. Biofuels, the impact on market prices, and the environment will also be mentioned.
  
  
• 《Coffee Break》

• Keynote Speech
  　　　　　　 〜The Imperative Role of Human Development in the Middle East〜

  Speaker：Mr. Jiro Nemoto Chairman of Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East
  
  

• Keynote Speech
  　　　　　　 The Expectation toward the Future and the
  　　　　　　 Technology Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

  〜The Strategy of How Saudi Arabia Kingdom Progress on the Investment towards Technology Developments and Educations〜
  
  Speaker：Dr. Jamil F. Aldandany Interim VP of External Affairs, KAUST
  From recent Saudi’s doctrines, we can see that education especially in the field of science and engineering has become one of the top priorities in Saudi Arabia. At this session, we invite Dr. Jamil F. Aldandany from KAUST with its foundation expected on September 2009 and will listen to his words on KAUST’s overview, objectives and projects. Also he will present his ingenuous opinions on what the university expects from Japan.
  
  

• Panel Discussion
  　　　　　　 University Research in Advance Technology
  　　　　　　 〜Educating and Nurturing Future Generations to
  　　　　　　 Carry on the Future of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom〜

  anelists：
  Prof. Abdulaziz S.Al-Ruwais, Vice Rector, King Saud University
  Dr. Khattab G. Al-Hinai, Director, Research Innovation Office, Research Institute, KFUPM
  Prof. Kenjiro Miyano, Director, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
  Prof. Shuji Hashimoto, Faculty Dean of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
  Moderator：Prof. Takahiro Ohno, Director of International Affairs,Waseda University
  
  Saudi Arabia is now taking innovative steps in the new nation-building process. However, the nation is encountering a serious shortage in skilled human resources. It has become urgent and crucial to construct an industrial foundation for sustainable development through the education and nurturing of talents who will carry on the future of Saudi Arabia, especially in the technology fields. We have invited representatives of leading-edge universities in Saudi Arabia to discuss circumstances and problems in higher education and to express their expectations regarding Japan. Waseda Univ. Prof. Hashimoto, Faculty Dean of Science and Engineering will speak about ongoing research at his faculty. Dr. Khattab G. Al-Hinai from KFUPM will speak about current joint researches with Nippon Oil Corporation and Yokogawa Electric Corporation which has established a research institute in KFUPM. They will refer to how these Japanese leading companies are making efforts in global cooperation, joint research, or in exchange programs. Also they will discuss how cooperative structures are established among Japanese universities, companies and Saudi organizations.
  
  
• 《Coffee Break》

• Congratulatory Speech

  Speaker：Mr. Keiichi Konaga Chairman, Japan-Saudi Arabia Society
  
  

• Panel Discussion:
  　　　　　　 Japan and the Middle East,
  　　　　　　 Heading Towards the Next Stage of Partnership
  　　　　　　 〜Promoting Intercultural Communication in Various Aspects〜

  Panelists:
  H.E. Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad　Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Tokyo
  Mr. Hajme Takata, Head of Fixed Income Research/ Chief Strategist, Fixed Income Group, Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd.
  Prof. Kenji Horiguchi, Vice President, Waseda University
  Moderator:Mr. Tsutomu Ishiai,Sr. Diplomatic Writer, Deputy Editor, Political News Department, Foreign News Department
  
  Japan's oil consumption is 90% dependent on the import of oil from the Middle East. We are paying approximately 8 trillion yen for oil resources from the Middle East, equaling nearly 90% of Japan's trade surplus amount. On the other hand, the number of foreign students from the Middle East region totals only 630, which is equal to two thirds of this number originating from Africa. According to Japanese Embassy data, the number of visitors from Japan to the Middle East has increased rapidly, growing to more than 15 thousand visitors. A majority of these visitors are civil engineers or specialists in construction-related fields of the petroleum industry. Very few of the total number are categorized as visitors on cultural or academic-related trips. It seems unusual for Japan to have such a relationship with counter parts with whom we are heavily dependent on concerning our energy resources, a vital lifeline for any nation. On the other hand, when we look at the societal circumstances in the Middle East, we see a lack of resources being devoted to the construction of a firm national strategy regarding education and human development, keys to becoming a modern nation. How should Japan keep up with this trend and build cooperative partnerships with evolving countries? Specialists in Middle Eastern matters from various sectors will comment on these current topics.
  
  

• Closing Remarks

  Speaker：Prof. Kenji Horiguchi
  Vice President of Waseda University and Research Fellow of Middle East General Research Institute
  Guests will be escorted to the Welcome Reception Venue
  
  ※Please notice that the program will be changed without notification. For latest information, please refer to http://www.waseda.jp/intl-ac/saudi_arabia/
  
  

●JR Yamanote Line、Seibu Shinjyuku Line「Takadanobaba」Station Getting off Foot 20 minutes
●Subway Tozai Line「Waseda」Station Getting off Foot 5 minutes