AUIB Lauches Partnership with Japanese Embassy and Opens “Japan Corner” at its Library

Heading a delegation from the embassy of Japan in Baghdad, joined by a delegation from Sardar Group, H.E. Ambassador Akira Endo visited the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB), where he met AUIB President, Dr. Bradley Cook, and senior members of the university cadre. The meeting saw the formalization of the budding partnership between AUIB and the Japanese embassy, especially on cultural exchange and a student study abroad program, after which the participants proceeded to a special ceremony where H.E. the Ambassador opened the “Japan Corner” at AUIB Library, to which The Nippon Foundation donated 174 books, serving to introduce Japan and its culture to the AUIB community.

President Cook expressed AUIB’s “great sense of appreciation” for the collaboration with the embassy of Japan, which had already facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and Hiroshima University, making possible the travel of 15 to 30 AUIB students to Hiroshima University next January to take part in a two-week study abroad program, and paving the way for joint research and scholarly initiatives, as well as the organization of conferences, workshops, and seminars in the humanities and social sciences. “Japan is such a special culture” from which “we can learn so much on organization, efficiency, and service,” he continued, reiterating the University’s deep appreciation for Ambassador Akira Endo’s help in introducing the Japanese culture to Iraqi society.

“Being a bridge for cross-border interaction” is the role that universities can play in service to the cause of peace, as direct knowledge of “the other” dismisses presuppositions and prejudices, President Cook added, speaking of “a great thirst among AUIB students” for exploring Japanese culture and living a Japanese experience.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Akira Endo expressed his pleasure at donating 174 books on diverse topics to AUIB Library’s “Japan Corner”, via Nippon Foundation’s “Read Japan Project”. He also expressed appreciation for AUIB’s faculty, staff, and students, on their collaborative efforts, thanking the University for “actively promoting cultural exchange” and affording the Iraqi public access to trusted information about Japan.