Japan wants to work in agri, education sector

Japanese envoy opens calendar exhibition at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agricultural University

ISLAMABAD: Japan on Friday said that it was keen to work with Pakistan in the key sectors of education and agriculture.

This was stated by Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda on Friday while opening a three-day exhibition of Japanese calendars for 2020, at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agricultural University. Organised by the Japanese Embassy in Islamabad in cooperation with the MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan, around 90 calendars depicting various aspects of life and products of Japan have been put up in the exhibit.

Ambassador Matsuda said that agricultural sector is one of the important areas where Japan plans to bring investment.

Talking about the exhibition, the envoy said that it has become an annual cultural event which the embassy organises. He further said that the Japan Calendars Association and various Japanese companies provide calendars for the exhibit which offer a window to Japan’s heritage and cultural identity through its colourful and vibrant calendars.

“Our purpose is to introduce various aspects of Japan to the people of Pakistan,” Matsuda said, noting that most of the calendars put on display had been produced by private Japanese companies were printed on recycled paper.

“The calendars exhibited today showcase a vibrant depiction of the Japanese heritage and cultural identity by reflecting images from traditional and contemporary arts, from sports, automobiles, nature, heritage and architecture to Japanese Kimono and Ikebana.”

The envoy further said that the exhibition “not only gives a picture of the socio-cultural development of Japan, but also exhibits the aesthetic features by Japanese calendar artists.”

“By looking at these calendars, visitors can imagine Japan so near to their eyes even if it is far way.”

He added that cultural interactions play a pivotal role in fostering people-to-people contacts and that the exhibit was one such effort.

Matsuda further said that education is the key for success and Japan is willing to work with Pakistan in the education sector.

He also appreciated the support and cooperation extended by MAAP and the Arid University for holding the exhibition.

Arid University Vice Chancellor Dr Qamaruz Zaman said that exposure of Pakistani youth to Japanese art, culture and technological exhibitions can go a long way in bringing the people of the two countries closer. He further believed that it can help change the mindset of Pakistani youth positively for enhancing social harmony and contributing to nation building endeavors.

He added that there is dire need to explore all possible avenues to benefit from Japanese advancements in the field of agricultural technology.

Prof Zaman said that the university has very active research and academic collaboration agreements with other Institutes and that they are looking forward for active foreign collaboration and funding for its faculty development programme and research projects.

He was of the view that collaboration with Japanese universities and industry could open new directions of academic and research exchange..

After the exhibition, all the calendars will be distributed among lucky visitors through a lottery that will be conducted later on by the MAAP. The exhibition will remain open for the public until Sunday, February 16 at the Arid University from 9am to 4pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2020.