On the occasion of the Ending Ceremony of World Book Day 15 May, 2012, held at Qatar University, H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan presented 176 Japan-related books to the University with the presence of H.E. Dr. Sheikha Bint Abdulla Al-Misned, President of the Qatar University and Mr. Abdullah Nasser Al-Ansari, Director of the Department of Public Libraries, Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage.
The books were donated by the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Japan Foundation that participated in the 22nd Doha International Book Fair last December.
This was the sixth donation from the Embassy which began in 1989 and continued in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011. The total number of Japan-related books donated to the Qatar University now reaches around 700. The books in English, Arabic and Japanese, cover various aspects of Japan and the Japanese life including history, literature, social sciences, art, cooking, comics and so on. Ambassador Monji hoped that those books would contribute to the better understanding of Japan by the students of the Qatar University.
Ambassador Monji said “It was very timely that the donation takes place in 2012, the 40th anniversary year of Japan-Qatar diplomatic relations and at the time of the inauguration of the new library of the University. The Embassy of Japan has been enjoying good cooperative relations with Qatar University just like those between our two countries, through such activities other than book donations as accepting QU students to Japan under the Japanese government scholarship program and jointly holding various Japanese cultural events in Doha.”
Ambassador Monji mentioned that the Embassy of Japan and the Qatari side would organize many Japanese cultural events for the remaining of the year under the project “Qatar Japan 2012” including monthly Japanese Cinema Showcase, Japanese Speech Contest in June, Japanese Popular Theater performance and Japanese Musical Instruments performance in October, Japanese Films at the 4th Doha Tribeca Film Festival in November and the participation to the 23th Doha International Book Fair in December as a guest of honor. Japan will bring a lot of Japanese culture to Qatar, both traditional and contemporary including Pop culture such as Manga and Anime.
He also reiterated his sincere appreciation to the State of Qatar and people in Qatar for supporting Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. “Students of the Qatar University extended a valuable support to Japan. Japanese people are very grateful to your help and I am pleased to report to you that Japan is moving forward towards reconstruction”. Ambassador, therefore, encouraged the University students to seriously consider studying in Japan. The application for the government scholarship is open until June 24 and I hope to see more students come to Japan in the future.
The Book donation at the ending ceremony was witnessed by officials from Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, library staff and members of Qatar University’s Japan Club etc.
-
ILQ news -
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
