PENANG, 23 September 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been identified for the establishment of the KUFS-USM Japanese Language and Cultural Centre by the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS).

KUFS President, Professor Dr. Takeshi Matsuda, said today that he foresees an increasing number of Malaysians being interested in the Japanese language and culture.

“With that anticipation, I think that it would be a good idea if USM could provide the space (for the centre) while KUFS provides teachers who want to further their studies in Malaysia,” Takeshi explained.

He then added that this centre would offer affordable courses to Malaysians in this “purely academic cultural project” to promote mutual understanding between the two countries as well as conducting student exchange programmes between the KUFS and USM.

According to Takeshi, this framework has been generally agreed upon by USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, however, details have to be discussed.

It is understood that the discussion will involve the representation of KUFS by Takeshi and Professor Toshiki Kumagai, the Vice-President, while USM by Omar and Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Community Network).

He said that if Malaysians are familiar with the way Japanese behave and think then Malaysians can better appreciate Japanese language and culture here in the future.

“To achieve that, we seek an institutional avenue between the two universities in Kyoto and Penang to set up a satellite space where Malaysians can have an easy access to information of the life in Japan and its culture,” Takeshi said, emphasising that this is a mutually beneficial two-way project. - Text and Photo: Yong Check Yoon