The Arab American University in Ramallah hosted the Japanese expert Professor Hidaki Shinoda - Director of the Peace-building Center in Hiroshima, and Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in Japan. Professor Shinoda presented a specialized seminar entitled: "The Experience of Japan: Hiroshima's Experience in Reconstruction after World War II." Professor Shinoda was accompanied in his visit to the University by the Japanese Ambassador to Palestine, Yoichi Nakashima, and the General Representative of the Office of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency "JICA" in Palestine, Mitsutaka Hoshi.
Professor Shinoda stated that the aim behind visiting Palestinian universities is to meet students and researchers and shed light on the Japanese experience in development and reconstruction after its rise from the ashes of World War II and the mass destruction of weapons. During the lecture, which was attended by a number of graduate and undergraduate students and academics, Professor Shinoda reviewed Japan's experience in reconstruction, the nature of the internal challenges and the external pressures it faced. "The case of Hiroshima is an example of the treatment of building a military city and then building a memorial city for peace," he said, adding that peace-building policies begin with analyzing the root reasons of past conflicts, and that peace-building requires dealing with such reasons of conflict as addressing them can lead to real peace. The lecture was followed by listening to the students' comments and answering their questions.
The guest delegation was received by Dr. Mohammad Asia, Vice President for Medical Faculties Affairs, representing the University President, Dr. Nouar Qutob, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dr. Lana Shehadeh, Director of the International Relations Office, Dr. Amjad Abu Al-Ezz, Head of the Social Sciences Department, and Ms. Nadine Siam, Director of the Public Relations Communication Office.
Prof. Asia stressed the keenness of AAUP to benefit from international experiences in the field of scientific research and technological progress, praising the Japanese experience in science and scientific research. Dr. Qutob also called for opening horizons of research and academic cooperation, benefiting from the Japanese experience, and encouraging scientific research that contributes to building generations and developing the Palestinian society.
Dr. Shehadeh welcomed the Japanese delegation and stressed the importance of fruitful cooperation between the Arab American University and Japanese universities, especially in peace studies and international relations. She also tackled the possibility of benefiting from the Japanese experience in the aforementioned field, especially that the university embraces the Center for Policy and Conflict Resolution Studies, which seeks to conduct research and academic activities that enhance local and international partnerships.
For his part, Dr. Abu Al-Ezz presented the programs of the Department of Social Sciences at the university, especially the master's and doctoral programs in conflict resolution, which attracted a large number of international experts and academics. He added, "The Department of Social Sciences has a number of distinguished academic programs, such as a Ph.D. and M.A. in International Relations, and an M.A. in Literature and Intercultural Communication."
The Japanese Ambassador to Palestine, Yoichi Nakashima, expressed Japan's commitment to support the Palestinian people and assist them in infrastructure. His Excellency, the Ambassador thanked AAUP for its cooperation in organizing academic events for Japanese experts and academics, in cooperation with the office of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency "JICA" in Palestine. Mitsutaka Hoshi, the General Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Palestine, said that the agency is involved in a large number of reconstruction projects in the Palestinian infrastructure, particularly in the field of water, sanitation, education and technology. He added that Professor Shinoda's lecture falls within the activities of the "JICA Chair", which is an academic initiative launched by the agency that seeks to present Japan's experience in development.
