2016 Activity Report

March Activity Report

March 2017
Global Japan Office Coordinator
Kato Yousuke

On the picnic on the 12th, we planned for a cultural exchange in Japanese and Arabic between students on a short visit form Yokohama National University and students on short visits and study abroad at language schools and so on from Osaka University and TUFS. After Al Azhar Park, we also went to the citadel and Hanhalili, and were able to spend a long time with Japanese and Egyptian students. Prompted by this, we decided to experience language with the Osaka University students by having more fun outings.

On the 12th, we attended the Kanto Earthquake Memorial Choral Event organised by the Japanese embassy in Egypt, and in a big voice sang ��That��s Important��, the song that we had been practicing since February, to Japan. The students who, in the midst of their busy studies, put their all into memorizing a song in Japanese in order to send a cry to Japan, were extremely praiseworthy. Aside from Cairo University, there were other Japanese educational institutions in Egypt participation, and each sang a song they had chosen for Japan.

On the 21st, at the Japan Study Abroad Fair, I gave in introduction to things like the attractions of TUFS and study abroad programmes in presentations that took place in sessions separated between morning and afternoon. At the materials stand, many high school and university students flooded in to ask about things such as study abroad opportunities and their contents. Working as interpreter at the presentations as well as answering questions at the stand was Yasmeesn, a graduate student who took part in TUFS��s ISEP programme two years prior, who was an enormous help.

March is the season for filling in and submitting study abroad application forms. Due to the economic situation in Egypt among other things, almost all of the students would not be able to study abroad in Japan without a scholarship. Because of that, their grades up to now affect whether or not they will be able to study abroad, and realising what standard their grades during the year had been is a severe experience. In addition, even if they are able to submit their application, they won��t necessarily be able to receive a scholarship. I can��t make any estimates until their results are out, but even if I��m by myself, I want to help realise the students�� study abroad by helping them with the document preparation.

December Activity Report

December 2016
Global Japan Office Coordinator
Kato Yousuke

8th December: Japan Festival exhibit

On 8th December, TUFS presented a display at the Japan Festival held within Cairo University, which focused on Hiroshima University. At the event, other universities including Hiroshima University and Kyushu University, but also the Japanese embassy in Egypt and The Japan Foundation presented exhibits, offering Japanese food and yukata exhibitions among other things. As coordinator for GJO Cairo, I managed a booth offering information and distributing pamphlets on TUFS to those attending, receiving the kind help of two TUFS students studying Arabic who are currently on their year abroad. This event was attended by many students, mainly from Cairo University, and at the booth there were many questions from students hoping to study abroad in Japan about how to go about doing so, the availability of scholarships and so on.

In addition, I gave a university introduction speech in the lecture theatre, introducing the Global Japan Office as well as study abroad programmes at TUFS. During the speech, graduate students who had taken part in TUFS��s international student exchange programme two years prior kindly provided Arabic interpretation and also spoke about their own experienced studying abroad, and were able to promote TUFS to students of subjects other than Japanese as well.

From the end of this month began the final exams. At the first year oral examinations, there were some who were so nervous their limbs shook, but once the exams had finished they could be seen relieved, leaving with smiling faces. I hope that the students will continue to practice all that they have learned so far and that they will gain a satisfactory result.

November Activity Report

November 2016
Global Japan Office Coordinator
Kato Yousuke

5th November: The University of Cairo hosts the 24th Japanese speech contest of the Arab-speaking world
6th November: The first Japanese performance contest

This month, the department��s biggest event, the speech contest, took place. At this year��s contest, aside from learners associated with the major domestic Japanese educational institutions, there were also participants form Sudan and Kuwait, and the event became one for the Arab world in general. Including Japanese expatriates, we received attendance from a great number of people, and it became a tremendously lively event. Participants from the University of Cairo each gave very thoughtful presentations, with awards being given for intermediate and advanced level speeches, as well as first and second prizes for presentations (the first prize went to a student who studied abroad at TUFS two years previously). We have received an article written about the event, so please do have a read. http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJC76D1RJC7UHBI03G.html (link in Japanese)

Both students and teaching staff of Japanese language and culture worked together to host the event. In particular, students actively participated by chairing the event as well as by supervising. First year students who had just begun their Japanese studies also received many warm words from guests after taking on the responsibilities of reception, escorting guests to their seats and managing the doors under the instruction of teachers, supervisors and their seniors. On the following day was the performance contest, where learners associated with domestic Japanese education institutions performed Japanese dramas and songs. In a diversion form the tension of the previous day��s speech contest, guests enjoyed the presentations of various participating institutions. There were students who had studied abroad at TUFS who presented a demonstration of karate, which they had practiced on their study abroad. Students of the Japanese department of Benha University, which was established this year, also took part, giving a real sense of how Japanese education in Egypt continues to flourish.

Also, the partnership between the University of Cairo and TUFS has formally been renewed, and the Global Japan Office of Cairo has officially been established. The GJO signboard has been put up outside the Japanese language and culture teaching office, and I hope to build on our collaborative relationship. From now on, I eagerly anticipate the next visit from TUFS.

October Activity Report

October 2016
Global Japan Office Coordinator
Kato Yousuke

As we enter October, lessons have begun in earnest across the whole university. The first years are in the midst of receiving information from their senior classmates on methods of study among other things, getting used to lessons at university. In addition, Japanese literature classes for foreign students ans well as units in Arabic have begun.

This month, the students attended the annual Japanese meeting event in Cairo. At the sports event, they got the chance to participate in running races, ball games, and tug-of-war matches, and get familiar with atmosphere of sports events in Japan. In addition, at the autumn festival, they enjoyed Japanese food such as yakisoba and okonomiyaki; games like goldfish scooping and quoits; and the Bon Festival dance. Being able to socialise Japanese residents of Cairo at an event like this was a big motivation for the students.

At the study abroad debriefing session on the 27th, we invited customers from The Japan Foundation Cairo Office��s culture centre to listen to fourth year students who had been studying abroad in Japan until this summer, among them two students who studied at TUFS, speak about their experiences. The students spoke about things such as university society activities, relating all the ups and downs of life studying abroad. For the students of Egypt, where the family exists as a strong presence, living alone seems to have been a significant experience.

Also, preparations for the speech contest and performance competition in November have been going ahead at the university. The students participating in the speeches and presentations are practicing their scripts and speech-giving technique. In addition, students are taking part as attendants and by making preparations to host the event. The new first year students too are listening to their senior students, full of anticipation for their first speech contest.

May Activity Report

May 2016
Global Japan Office Coordinator
Kato Yousuke

5��9�� ����n�����Y

On the day of the last class, we asked for the help of 2 TUFS students who were studying abroad here at Cairo University and teachers from Aswan University and made ochazuke for the year 1 students. The majority of the student had never even heard of the name before and we were able to let them experience eating Japanese cuisine ochazuke which is something you can rarely find in Egypt. It should be noted that, the seaweed used for the ochazuke was brought over by Prof. Aoyama last year. Thank you very much.