早稲田大学中東総合研究所発足記念シンポジウム
Date
& Time:
Friday, June 20, 2008, from 10:00 – 18:40.
Venue:
Masaru Ibuka Auditorium, International Conference Center, Waseda
University.
Theme:
"Working to Strengthen Relationships in Culture, Industry, Business,
Science, and Technology between Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia."
Participants:
Members of the general public, undergraduate and graduate
students, faculty and staff.
＜Event
Report＞
The
Waseda University Middle East General Research Institute sponsored an
international symposium entitled, "Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Heading Towards a New Era. An all-day event held from 10 am to 6 pm at the
International Conference Center, audience members were treated to topical
discussions and lectures delving on a variety of subjects such as culture,
energy, research, business, the nurturing of human resources, etc.
Special guests who attended the Commemorative Symposium include:
H.E. Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Tokyo;
Mr. Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, Senior Vice President of Saudi Aramco;
Prof. Mohammad Hassan Alzeer, Director, Arabic Islamic Institute;
Dr. Jamil F. Aldandany, Interim Vice President of External Affairs, KAUST;
Dr.
Abdulaziz A.
Turkistani, King Saud University;
Dr. Khattab G. Al-Hinai,
Director, Research Innovation Office,
Research Institute,
King
Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
Japanese representatives who attended the event include:
Mr. Mikio Sasaki, Chairman, Mitsubishi Corporation;
Mr. Haruyuki Niimi, Chairman, Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.;
Mr. Yoshihiro Shigehisa, Chairman and CEO, JGC Corporation;
Mr. Jiro Nemoto, Chairman, Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East;
Mr. Keiichi Konaga, Chairman, Japan-Saudi Arabia Society;
Mr. Norihiro Okada, Director-General, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With
the assembling of domestic, industry leaders in natural resources and energy, as
well as representatives from Middle East-related research institutes, the
Symposium attracted over 450 attendees and ended in a resounding success.
The
event was well received by both presenters and audience members alike, with
inquiries being received even days after the conclusion of the event, affirming
the significance of the Symposium. We believe that the fruits of our efforts
will further increase exchanges and create the foundations for a new partnership
for Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Further details can be found by clicking here. ＜Under
construction＞
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サウジアラビア王国大使講座
Date
& Time:
Tuesday, June 17, from 14:40 – 16:10.
Venue:
Building No. 26, Basement Level 1, Multipurpose Lecture Room,
Waseda Campus.
Seminar Theme:
"Enhancing Strategic Multi-Layered Partnership between
Japan and Saudi Arabia."
Speaker:
H.E. Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad, Royal Embassy of Saudi
Arabia, Tokyo.
Language:
Arabic, *Japanese interpreters available.
Participants:
Undergraduates and graduate students, faculty and staff,
members of the public.
＜Event
Report＞
Kicking off the Ambassador Lecture Series for the 2008 academic year and
sponsored by the Open Education Center, the Seminar's theme was "Enhancing
Strategic Multi-Layered Partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia."
It focused primarily on the bilateral relationship and its future outlook.
With the presentation in Arabic, while it was expected that those with a keen
interest in Middle East affairs would make up the bulk of attendees, beginning
with Arabic language students from the Open Education Center, the actual number
went well beyond our expectations, numbering over 150 participants. The
popularity of the Seminar was a clear reminder of the high interest in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Many
attendees listened with much interest; some were seen taking detailed notes, and
others actively participated in the Q & A session. Expectations surrounding the
event are high that it will help spur an increase in collaborative projects
related to both research and student exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Waseda
University.
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政治経済学部特別授業
Date
& Time:
Monday, June 23, from 10:40 – 12:10.
Venue:
Building No. 8, Room B-107, Waseda Campus.
Lecture Title:
Current Discourse in Global Politics and Economics.
An Introduction to Industrial Economics Between Japan and
Saudi Arabia.
Instructor-in-Charge:
Professor Kenji Horiguchi, Faculty of Political Science
and Economics.
Guest Speaker:
Mr. Mansour Alhowaiti, Commercial Office, Royal Embassy
of Saudi Arabia, Tokyo.
Participants:
Undergraduates and graduate students, faculty and staff,
members of the public.
＜Event
Report＞
Commercial Office from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, lectured on the
theme, "The Economy of Saudi Arabia – Commerce and Industry." The lecture was
presented by Mr. Mansour, a person with over 10 years of experience living in
Japan, and who speaks fluent Japanese.
Attendees were given an introduction into the well-developed social welfare
system financed by income from oil profits, and the overall industrial structure
of the Saudi Arabian state. The nation is, on one-hand heavily dependent on
imports for daily necessities due to an industrial structure characterized by
underdeveloped manufacturing and processing industries, and on the other hand,
is overwhelmingly dominated by petroleum-related industries.
Citizens can utilize public medical facilities and receive education in public
schools free of charge, and fees for public utilities (electricity, water, etc.)
- which are subject to government subsidies - are kept at very low rates. There
was also an introduction into new industries such as the large volume export of
frozen shrimp aimed at the Japanese market. The national government's economic
development plan for the future has a policy focus towards non-petroleum
industries. Diversification of the country's economic base was also touched
upon.
After
the lecture, the deep interest among the students was reflected in the high
number of questions posed. The enthusiastic questioning, and the fact that a
number of students even managed to pose their questions in Arabic made a big
impression on Mr. Mansour.
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サウジアラビア王国文化交流、学生交流イベント
「Arabian
Cafe」
Date:
June 17 – 18.
Venue:
International Community Center (ICC), Okuma Garden House 1F,
Waseda Campus.
Participants:
Undergraduates and graduate students, faculty and staff,
members of the public.
＜Event
Report＞
As
part of its mission to introduce the cultures of the world, the International
Community Center (ICC) held an event called the "Arabian Cafe." With the ICC
Lounge transformed into an Arabian-style cafe, visitors were treated to Arab
hospitality along with offers to sample Arabian coffee and dates (natsumeyashi).
Some visitors also took advantage of the rare opportunity to try on traditional
Arab clothing, while others preferred to enjoy the whole atmosphere passively
while resting on the Arabian carpets, specially brought in for the event.
Over
a two-day period, a guest instructor sponsored by the Arabic Islamic Institute
conducted an introductory Arabic Language Lesson which was attended by about 50
or so participants on each day, respectively. Participants were presented with
an enthusiastic Arabic lesson in Arabic - neither Japanese nor English was
used. Through the repetition of phrases, the instructor allowed participants to
familiarize their "ears and mouths" to the Arabic Language. At the end of
class, participants had picked up enough Arabic to make self-introductions.
During the two-day "Arabian Cafe" event, the first 100 visitors to arrive were
treated to an Arabian-style sandwich called a "Shawarma," made with roasted
chicken, lettuce, and folded into a slice of bread, all prepared by a bona fide
chef. By 12 noon that day, a long line had already developed as people were
drawn in by the appetizing aroma. Seeing the expressions on the lucky few who
were able to get a bite of "Shawarma" for free, one would have thought that they
would have happily opened their wallets for the delicious free meal. For the
better part of a week, everyone involved was able to experience Arab culture
through a plethora of sights, sounds, and tastes.
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特別企画展示「エネルギーを未来に」
Date:
Tuesday, June 17 – Friday, June 20, from 11:00 -16:00.
Venue:
Building No. 56, Room 104, Okubo Campus of Waseda University.
＜Event
Report＞
In
addition to the largest nationalized petroleum company in the world, Saudi
Aramco (Saudi Arabian Oil Company); a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and
Sumitomo Chemical called Petro Rabigh (Rabigh Refining & Petrochemcial Company);
and representatives from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
(KAUST) all held exhibitions illustrating Saudi Arabia's role as an energy
developer and supplier in their respective booths for 4 days. While on each day
of the event, the Arab-style sandwiches called a "Shawarma" given out to the
first 150 persons were as popular as ever, many people also took the time to
come out in-between classes, listening attentively to the presentations made at
each exhibition.
On
the final day, Saudi Aramco Vice President Al-Khayyal, made an appearance at the
event, and even took the time to interact with the students. After a
commemorative group photo session with students which may have been the most
exciting portion of the festivities, the event came to a close. For science and
engineering students of Waseda, this event is sure to be an opportunity for
encouraging fresh new discoveries.
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国際教養学部特別授業
Date
& Time:
Monday, June 23, from 13:00 – 14:30.
Venue:
International Community Center (ICC), Okuma Garden House 1F,
Waseda Campus.
Lecture Title:
First Year Seminar (School of International Liberal Studies).
Instructor-in-Charge:
Professor Keiko Sakurai, School of International
Liberal Studies.
Guest Speaker:
Ms. Misao Gunji, Author of "Fall in love with Saudi Arabia"
and "Saudi Arabia, the wonderland".
Participants:
Undergraduate and graduate students.
＜Event
Report＞
With
her books entitled "Falling in Love with Saudi Arabia" and "Saudi Arabia, the
Wonderland," Ms. Misao Gunji has played a large role in helping to introduce the
daily lives and culture of Saudi Arabia to Japan, a country that for all
intended purposes, does not normally allow average tourists into the country,
except for a few approved tours. The only females normally allowed into the
country are diplomatic guests, and those wives accompanying husbands who belong
to general trading companies. Because of such circumstances, and considering
the state of affairs with the government and economy, the daily lives of
average, everyday citizens, especially those of women are rarely brought to
light. It is under such special circumstances that Ms. Gunji experienced life
in Saudi Arabia for a period of 4 years, a period which also included
experiencing the Persian Gulf War. Her travels to various regions of Saudi
Arabia, and her intimate, family-like relationships with Saudi Arabian friends
have made her a precious source of first-hand information.
Based
on her own experiences, and illustrated through personal photos and easily
understood commentary, Ms. Gunji gave all those present a first-hand
introduction into the daily lives of everyday people in Saudi Arabia, their
values, and the differences between how Saudi Arabia appears from an outsider's
and insider's perspective. In order to give everyone a real feel for how people
in Saudi Arabia live, students were also given the chance to try on a variety of
traditional wear brought in by Ms. Gunji.
According Ms. Gunji, regardless of the fact that Saudi Arabia is a strict
Islamic nation, manga and otaku culture from Japan have become
very trendy among the younger generations. In a country where the very
existence of movie theaters is prohibited, almost every home can freely watch
Western programs via satellite broadcasts. This gap between intentions and
reality was for the students in attendance, a very new and fascinating topic
that was reflected in their questions.
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