Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding for Sending Japanese Language Teachers
To a High School in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

A Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, was renewed on 15th June 2014 by the representatives of Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd., Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., and Ritsumeikan University, on one hand and the representatives of the Institute of Applied Technology, “IAT”, on the other hand. The main objective of the MOU is to continue the Japanese Language Teaching Program, (“JLTP”), at the IAT in Abu Dhabi.

The JLTP, which dates back to the meeting of April 2005 between H.H. Lt. General Sh. Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mr. Keiichiro Okabe, Honorary Chairman of Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., has been implemented first at a public elementary school in Abu Dhabi. The JLTP in the School had targeted the elementary students. It started in 2007 academic year and lasted for a period of 3 academic years.

The Current JLTP has been upgraded to target higher level students with higher grade and age to learn more efficiently the Japanese Language and an introduction of the Japanese culture. The JLTP started in the IAT as of the 2011 Academic year for a period of 3 consecutive academic years. The 1st graduation and completion ceremony of the course was held on 15th June 2014 in the presence of Charge d’ Affairs of the Japanese Embassy, Mr. Kenji Hirata. 20 ATHS students (15 male and 5 female) have completed their JLTP course and out of them, 10 students have currently decided to continue their study in Japanese Universities. Following the recent MOU implementation practice, the renewed JLTP shall continue to be organized under the close supervision of Ritsumeikan University, which is one of the most historical Japanese Universities, based in Kyoto, Japan.

Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd., Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., and Ritsumeikan University stress their strong intention in achieving successful results of this renewed program and hope that the students of the JLTP shall bridge and promote further the friendly relations between the UAE/Abu Dhabi and Japan, through deepening their knowledge of the Japanese language and the Japanese culture.