Tuesday February 7, sos3 at 10:50 a.m. – the Department of Japanese Language Teaching, Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University and the Japanese Embassy of Thailand held the 22nd Japan Education Fair in Khon Kaen. Asst. Prof. Parama Khwaengmuang, Ph.D., Assistant to the Dean for Research, Faculty of Education delivered the reporting speech. Assoc. Prof. Nawarat Wara-Aswapati, Ph.D., Vice President for International Affairs welcomed the delegates head by Mr. Uchida Takeshi, the First Secretary of Japanese Embassy in Thailand, who presided over the opening ceremony. A number of administrators of the Faculty of Education, lecturers and students from 10 schools in the Northeast, KKU students, and interested public, a total of over 500 people, attended the event, which was held at Saisuree Room, Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University.
Asst. Prof. Parama Khwaengmuang, Ph.D., Assistant to the Dean for Research, Faculty of Education reported, “The 22nd Japan Education Fair in Khon Kaen is aimed at introducing students about scholarships offered by the Government of Japan and introducing about studies in leading universities in Japan. There are talks about the life experience from studying in Japan by former Thai students in Japan. This event is under the collaboration of the two countries and this year is the 22nd year of the Fair. The organizers are pleased to hold the Fair this year and to promote the activities under the collaboration of Thailand and Japan in the future.”
Assoc. Prof. Nawarat Wara-Aswapati, Ph.D., Vice President for International Affairs said in her welcoming address. “The guidance for studying in Japan is the success of the collaboration and is our pride to be able to work with the Japanese Embassy for over 20 years. This is the good connection between Thai universities and universities in Japan, in which the higher education system of Japan is promoting the continuing of education for Thai students and those related to education in Thailand.”
“We are grateful to Japanese Embassy for honoring us by visiting Khon Kaen University and providing information that benefits students and the public about the scholarships and continuation of studies in Japan. It is believed that the participants today will obtain greatest benefit from the information and news given in the presentation.”
Mr. Uchida Takeshi, the First Secretary of Japanese Embassy in Thailand said, “Japan sees the importance in building good relationships with different countries. I hope that this project will lead to understanding and admiration of Japan. The attractiveness of continuing studies in a foreign county is not only about education, but also about learning of different cultures. Japan is a clean and safe country. Students are able to work part time during their studies. Working as a student will let you understand how Japanese people work and think, which we cannot see from traveling as a tourist. Studying in Japan will benefit your future occupation. Japan wants to accept a lot of foreign to study in our country.”
The activities at the Fair included different booths that offered study guidance by the Old Japan Student’ Association Thailand, Thai KOSEN, Japan Foundation Bangkok, Fukui University of Technology, Kanazawa University, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, and Yamanashi University, and Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). There was information given by the Japanese Embassy about Japanese scholarships from the Japanese Government for high school students, undergraduate and graduate students
In addition, there was an exhibition booth presenting “Nihon Promotion” by the students majoring in Japanese Language Teaching of the Faculty of Education and students from Yamanashi Gakuin University. The booth featured Japanese toys, Yukata costume wearing, origami, tea making by professors from Yamanashi Gakuin University, and calligraphy. Besides learning about details about scholarships from the Japanese Government, participants also learned about Japanese culture at the Fair, too.
News / Photos: Patcharaporn Phettakua, a student under the Cooperative Education Program, majoring in Thai Language, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Watchara Noichompoo
