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| Culture & Press Division > Cultural Grant Assistance > | ||||||
| JAPAN SUPPORTS UPGRADING OF JAPANESE LANGUAGE UNIT AT MEKELLE UNIVERSITY | ||||||
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An inauguration ceremony for the Project to Supply Language Laboratory Equipment and Learning Materials to the Japanese Language Unit at Mekelle University was held on Saturday 12 November 2011. This project was funded by the Japanese Grant-in-aid Scheme for Cultural Projects, amounting to a total of USD 106,249. H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki KISHINO, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project, together with Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwot, Academic Vice President of the Mekelle University, members of academia and the students of the Japanese Language Unit. By installing 46 units of language laboratory equipment and supplying additional Japanese language learning materials, this project enables the Mekelle University to provide a more comprehensive and in-depth Japanese language training program not only for elementary courses but also intermediate and advanced courses. On the occasion, H.E. Ambassador Hiroyuki KISHINO expressed congratulations when handing over the project to the university and urged the university community to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to study Japan in all aspects, beyond the Japanese language. Speaking on the challenges and successes of the Japanese Language Unit over the past three years, H.E. Ambassador Kishino noted that the lack of adequate language laboratory equipment was a constraint on Japanese language education despite the large demand for the course. During the first two years, only 60 students could be registered per year whereas 300 students had applied. After the completion of this project, however, up to 200 students can take Japanese language courses. H.E. Ambassador Kishino also expressed the possibility for the Japanese Language Unit to develop into a center for Japanese Studies. “I am looking forward to seeing a Center for Japanese Studies at Mekelle University some day as the first one on the African continent. It may be a long way off. Yet, if the Embassy of Japan can be of any help to that end, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us”, Ambassador Kishino said. The Japanese Language Unit was established in 2008 as the first of its kind in Ethiopia. Mekelle University is currently the only advanced educational institute in Ethiopia that offers a Japanese language course.
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