Osaka City University has received JICA trainees
Osaka City University has received JICA trainees from the Middle East Area under the training program “The Solar Power Generation Technology for Middle East Area” commissioned by JICA（Japan International Cooperation Agency）Osaka International Center from Jun. 8 to Aug. 10. Osaka City University provided the training programs on solar power generation for JICA participants before in 1995 - 2005, and has been receiving trainees from the Middle East Area since last year.
Closing ceremony on Aug.11 at JICA Osaka
This year we have welcomed four participants who are engaged in the promotion of rural electrification and renewable-energy in their respective countries; Mr. Ahmad Dawood Musa Hammad (Jordan), Mr. Beji Guesmi (Tunisia) , Mr. Abdelkader Baccouche (Tunisia), and Mr. Yaser Mohammed Garadi Al-Garadi (Yemen).
Middle Eastern countries have been implementing projects for the utilization of solar power generation system, such as installation of solar home system in off-grid rural areas in order to improve the quality of life of local people. To make the most of the findings of this 2-months course after returning home, all the participants have worked actively on the lectures and trainings. In training with solar panels, they diligently measured the power generation under the scorching sun (The burning sun is favorable for the experiment, but not for the people doing it). And on Aug. 10 they made a final presentation on what they had learned during the course. They also took time out from their busy schedule of study to know Japanese people and culture through company visits and study trips. Moreover, graduate students of engineering cooperated as teaching assistant of this program and greatly contributed to its successful management. They seem to have been inspired by interacting with the trainees. This program has become a fruitful experience not only for the JICA trainees but also for everyone involved.
We wish four of participants their continued success in their own countries making the most of what they have learned from this training course in Osaka City University.
Training with solar panel on Jul. 15 at Graduate School of Engineering
Pleasant talk at laboratory on Jul. 16 at Graduate School of Engineering
Final presentation held on Aug. 10 at Graduate School of Engineering
Interview with JICA trainees
Mr. Ahmad Dawood Musa Hammad (Jordan)
◆How do you feel about this training course？
－I have great impression about this training . I am sure I can utilize the knowledge and experiences acquired from this training for my future work and study. Both the lecturers and the graduate students helped us a lot. They were very kind. They cooperated with us as much as they could, and they tried to answer all of our questions. I am satisfied with this training.
◆What was the hardest thing during the training?
－At the beginning I couldn’t sleep well due to the time difference. But after I got used to it I enjoyed myself everyday, with an exception – very humid summer in Japan was exhausting.
◆What kind of activity did you enjoy besides studying？
－We had chances to visit many places in study trips. When we went to Kyusyu, I liked Hakata City, it was nice and fully organized. I enjoyed the wonderful nature of Aso, too. We visited many other places like Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, etc., but I liked the Osaka the best, because people are very kind. I also made friends with many Japanese people, indeed it was a nice experience.
Mr. Beji Guesmi (Tunisia)
◆How do you feel about this training course？
－It was a fruitful training, it allowed me to learn a lot about solar power system. In Tunisia, people use small solar panels for electrification in off-grid rural areas, so the findings on solar power generation and its utilization acquired from this training will be very helpful. The lecturers were kind and supported us whenever we needed help. The training coordinator also spared no effort to give support. I am grateful for all the people concerned.
◆What was the hardest thing during the training?
－We were studying all day long. I wish we could have had more time to do other activities like going out, studying Japanese language, etc.
◆What was your impression of Japan？
－People are friendly and the food is delicious. The training was great, and I also enjoyed my life in Japan very much.
Comments from graduate students who supported the training
Mr. Satoshi Harada（Teaching Assistant：Graduate School of Engineering）
－By interacting with JICA trainees, I felt the difference of the language and attitude between us, and I found how interesting it was to have cross-cultural experience. Moreover, it was not just an international exchange event. My participation in this training as teaching assistant enabled me to learn how to communicate with people from all walks of life, including the trainees, staffs of JICA, lecturers, etc. It was a valuable experience for me.
Mr. Kyoji Tsuji（Teaching Assistant：Graduate School of Engineering）
－I’m not good at English, so I did not know how to deal with the trainees at first. But after passing 2 months with them, I could understand what they spoke much better than before. The fact that they were cheerful and affable helped me a lot. Now I think it necessary to enrich my English vocabulary for the next year in order to express fluently what I want to convey. This training gave me the opportunity to realize the need for English as a communication tool.