The Embassy of Japan held a session for students of Hasanabdal Cadet College who have been selected to participate in the SAKURA Science Plan. The 10 students with a supervisor will be in Japan for a week under the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Programme in Science conducted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda congratulated the students on their selection and encouraged them to explore the scientific advancements in Japan. He added that Japan was keen to continue contributing towards the development of human resource in Pakistan.

The college’s vice principal Kaleem Mustafa said: “We are extremely grateful that such programmes are being offered by the Japanese institutions to enhance ties among the South East Asian countries through exchange visits. I hope that in future we can also be host to a Japanese school group of students and facilitate them to visit Pakistan as well.”

Hashim Salar, one of the selected students, said: “I am very excited to visit Japan and meet the Japanese students. I am looking forward to learning more about the Japanese nation and culture through this trip. For me, it will be a dream come true to visit such a technologically advanced country.”

Such programmes are an annual feature of the Japan Science and Technology Agency which invites outstanding young students and young professionals from Asian countries on short visits to promote exchanges between the young Asian and Japanese researchers in the field of science and technology.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2019