A grant contract signing ceremony for the Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project between the Government of Japan and Mekele University took place on 5 November 2010 at the the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence. H.E Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ethiopia and Professor Mitku Haile, President of Mekele University, signed the grant contract.

The grant, amounting to USD 106,249, is disbursed for the procurement of language laboratory equipment and Japanese language learning materials for the Japanese Language Unit at Mekele University.   

Mekele University is currently the only advanced educational institute in Ethiopia that offers a Japanese language course. The absence of adequate language laboratory facilities hindered the teaching and learning of the Japanese language, despite the huge demand for the course. In the last semester, only 60 students could be registered whereas 300 students had applied. Therefore, the grant will expand the intake capacity. It will scale up the Japanese language course from the beginners’ level to intermediate and advanced levels as well as provide a more comprehensive and in-depth Japanese language training program.  

After signing the contract, H.E. Ambassador Kishino remarked that it is high time for Ethiopia to supply its burgeoning economy with multi-talented people who understand the culture and language of Japan. In this regard, the Language Learning Equipment Project is essential to support the students in developing their listening and speaking skills so that they can effectively understand the Japanese language and culture in order to fuel the bilateral relations between the two countries.

H.E. Ambassador Kishino also stressed the Japanese Government’s commitment to continue to support this kind of project. Moreover, he encouraged Mekele University to demonstrate a strong commitment to effectively use the grant to achieve its targets and goals. 

The Japanese Language Unit was established at Mekele University in 2008 with the assistance of the Japanese Government. On 10 January 2009, the Embassy of Japan celebrated a kick-off event in Mekele to mark the start-up of the Japanese Language Unit. It was the first Japanese language course unit which is established within the College of Social Science and aims at mastering the Japanese language and culture.

Related Information;
●"Sakura-Meskel" 2009 March Isuue
(1) Japan Days in Mekelle: Kick-Off of the Japanese Language Unit in Mekelle University
(2) Mekelle University, Department of Heritage Conservation
(3) Restoration Project of Gunda Gundo Monastery
●FOURTEEN STUDENTS AWARDED MONBUKAGAKUSHO (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP
http://www.et.emb-japan.go.jp/art_cul5.html
●Mekelle University Home Page: http://www.mu.edu.et/