HYDERABAD, May 20: The Japan government is keenly interested in promotion of education, especially higher education, and providing assistance for studies of Japanese language and culture. This was expressed by Mr Koshimizu Sadahiro, assistant resident representative and JOAC coordinator of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Karachi project office, during a visit to the University of Sindh and meeting with vice-chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui on Friday.

He appreciated the efforts made by the university for organizing many programmes for the promotion of Japanese language and culture as well as efforts by the Area Study Centre for Far East and South-East Asia for the development of educational and research programmes with many universities of Japan.

He said the JICA as well as the Japan government would provide assistance to the university as well as the Centre for Far East and South East Asia for establishment of the Japanese language studies.

He assured the JICA would also provide books and literature about Japan’s educational and cultural programmes for the library of the centre.

The vice-chancellor welcomed the guest and highlighted facilities in the university.

He said at present more than 16,000 students were enrolled in various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines.

He said the university was the second oldest university of the country spread over 8,000 acres of land.

He said the Area Study Centre for Far East and South East Asia was engaged in research and study programmes.

He said the university was the first public sector university to introduce four years B.S programme in the faculty of natural sciences and science subjects.

The vice-chancellor pointed out the linkage programmes were producing good results.

The vice-chancellor offered full cooperation to visiting guest and appreciated a helping hand for starting study courses of the Japanese language and culture in collaboration with JICA.

The guest toured the department of International Relations and the Area Study Centre and discussed details for starting Japan studies in the centre.

Sindhology director Shaukat Shoro gave a briefing to the guest about working and background of the research institution.

Dr Latif Tunio, professor of the International Relations and Seema Kumari, faculty member of the department of International Relations accompanied the guest.