Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN)
Kantipath, Kathmandu
P.O. Box: 19778
Tel: 977-1-4249268, Fax: 977-1-5522899
Email: juaan@enet.com.np
Brief Introduction
The Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN) is an alumni of Japanese Universities and Institutions. The aim of JUAAN is to unite all the former Nepali students of Japanese Universities and Institutes for the purpose of contributing knowledge and skills acquired in Japan to nation building in Nepal. Our efforts to this aim have been encouraging, as all the JUAAN members are employed at different levels.
History
Nepali students have a century old relationship with Japan and its people. The Government of Nepal sent a group of eight students to Japan in 1902 for studies. Nepal and Japan also share a lot of similarities in terms of culture, religion and even in terms of sentiment. So many deities worshiped in Nepal are closely linked to the Japanese culture through the deep historical parallels, which connect both countries. Bearing in mind the above mentioned facts, it is also the obligation of JUAAN to foster the friendship so happily existing between the people of Nepal and Japan. One of the activities of JUAAN, the monthly "Benkyokai", serves the purpose. Scholars of Nepal and Japan are invited at the regular "Benkyokai" to participate in the talk programs and discussions, which are held on subjects related to Japan and Nepal. The exchange of ideas greatly helps to understanding between the two countries.
Organization
All Nepalese students who have studied in Japan under Monbukagakusho scholarships or non-Monbukagakusho programs for more than one year are eligible to be a member of JUAAN.
Executive Committee
There is an Executive Committee of 13 members comprising of a President, Vice President, General Secretary, Secretary, Treasure and eight members.
There are five permanent committees headed by one of the Executive Member.
- Publication Committee:
Publication of annual and quarterly magazine of JUAAN
- Cultural Committee:
Organizes talk programs, Japanese film show, meetings, seminars and the cultural programs
- Project Committee:
Renders social services to the community, JUAAN has been involved in different projects
- Trust Committee:
JUAAN manages the Sakai Lion's Club and the Imanishi Memorial Fellowship Trust. An annual cash award is given for writing an excellent article on Japanese affairs or Nepal-Japan relations. The Trust is sponsored by the Sakai Lion's Club, Kansai. Late Imanishi was a veteran alpinist who successfully led the Japanese expedition team to Mt. Annapurna in 1956.
- Fund Rising Committee:
Collects necessary funds for JUAAN activities
The Project for the Improvement of the Environment and Clean up in Changu Narayan World Cultural Heritage Site
Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN) tries its best to contribute, as far as practicable, its services to society with the view of further improvement and modernization in the true sense of the meaning.
Considering the historical and some of the oldest monuments (dated 464 A.D.) in the country, JUAAN decided to begin volunteer services at Changu Narayan World Cultural Heritage Site. To accomplish the aim, discussions with local communities were held and the response was very positive. JUAAN extended its volunteer services in the area beginning with cleaning campaign, awareness in schools and local communities, and a plantation program.
Project assistance was provided under the Grassroots Grant Project (GGP) Scheme of the Embassy of Japan. The work done included improvement of the environment and clean up of the area, reconstruction of two pilgrim rest houses called Balampu Pati, reconstruction of the stone water spout, construction of an incinerator, pavements, construction of the Sindhurkhowa pond park fence and four dustbins. All the work was completed in September 2001, with the participation of the local community. Members of JUAAN contributed their services voluntarily.
In addition to this, JUAAN was involved in the "Improvement of Environment and Beautification of Durbar Square (old palace area), a Project under Kathmandu Metropolitan City. JUAAN has also opened a medical clinic called "JUAAN International Clinic" in Kathmandu.
Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Nepali Students in Japan 1902 (Meiji Era-35 years)
The year 2002 marked the completion of a century of the first group of Nepali students in Japan. Incidentally, they were also the first Nepali nationals to land in Japan and the first Nepalese to go abroad for higher studies. A century ago the government of Nepal had chosen Japan as its pattern of growth was thought appropriate and Nepal could learn from its experiences, particularly because Japan is also an Asian country.
The reason for choosing Japan was probably due to some commonalities between Nepal and Japan through their cultural and political situation at that time. (Nepal and Japan adopted a self isolation policy that lasted over 100 years, during a feudal system of rule-Tokugawa period in Japan and Rana period in Nepal. The main power was with the feudal rulers but the authority was with the monarchs of their respective countries.) The cultural heritage of Nepal is closely linked to Japanese traditional culture through deep historical parallels that connect both countries.
|
 Yabunouchi Family with
JUAAN members
|
The pioneer Nepali students in Japan and earlier visit by a Japanese national Rev. Ekai Kawaguchi in Nepal in 1899 were the first nationals for their respective countries to establish friendly relationship at grassroots level. Since then, both the countries have enjoyed a century old unblemished friendly ties.
Recognizing the importance of the event two days of commemorative 100-year celebrations were organized jointly with the cooperation of the Embassy of Japan on September 27 and 28, 2002. The famous Yabunouchi School of Tea Ceremony of Kyoto was especially invited to demonstrate a Tea Ceremony, which was a perfect combination of festive gathering and felicitation to the delight of the audience who witnessed the historic event.
Japan-returned students have actively coordinated and co-operated in a number of events related with Nepal-Japan relations. Among others, JUAAN participated in the first Nepal-Japan Economic and Technical Co-operation Exhibition in 1982 and the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relation between Japan and Nepal organized by the Embassy of Japan.
Regular Activities:
- Benkyokai on 1st Saturday of every month;
- Orientation program for new Monbukagakusho students going to Japanese Universities;
- Annual get-together and functions;
- Publication of Journals;
- Japanese film show, and
- Talk programs
|
The Association of Japan returned Students was established in 1973. As the number of students was few in those days, trainees were also included in the Association. Over the years the number of students and trainees increased and the Association was reorganized in 1994 as JUAAN.
|
|
|
