In line
with the academic program embodied in
the Memorandum of Agreement between the
UST Graduate School and Yokohama
National University, UST Graduate School
sent students to Tokyo, Japan during
the first semester from September 28, to
October 4, 2008. Now on its fourth
year, this year’s academic visit was
led by Assoc. Prof. Mary Caroline N.
Castano and Prof. Ramon C. Posadas who
represented the UST Graduate School.
Eighteen
Thomasian graduate school students
participated in the program. They were:
Jose Ireneo , Ma. Loreto A. Canlas, Perfiria
Janet M. Baptista, Sheryl Anne C.
Gutierrez, Ma. Angela C. Dacanay, Ma.
Cecilia C. Laforteza, Prescila B.
Patacsil, Rinna P. Cauinian, Michelle
Anne R. Roque, Shirley G. Dechavez, Ana
Katrina Matias, Carel H. Yan, Lorydie
T. Molinar, Rafael M. Valdez, Eric
Dennis R. Linchangco, Martin R. Copon
III, Jojit Ramos and William Tangob .
The program
aims to enhance relations between the
two institutions and develop academic
and cultural exchange. The delegates
attended a joint workshop on Trade and
Development :Current Issues and
Prospects at Yokohama National
University. YNU students , Ericko
Tsuchiya, Misako Tsunokuni and Wataru
Yamagishi talked on Japan’s ODA Policy,
its achievements and problems.
A Thomasian
delegate and Ph.D. Commerce student, Mr.
Rafael M. Valdez presented his paper
entitled “A Comparative Study of the
Three Water Pumping Systems”, as a
developmental issue . Mr. Martin Copon
III, an MBA student presented his paper
on the Philippines-Japan Economic
Cooperation- the JICA experience. Mr.
Eric Dennis R. Linchangco was asked to
share his insights on how Japan has
impressed him and his expectations about
the joint program. The student
presenters made the whole UST group very
proud because they presented very well
with full confidence. The UST delegates
were actively involved during the
interaction. .
Asian
Regionalism was presented by YNU
students, Mr. Mustafa Moinuddin and Mr.
Von Ryan Ferrera, a Filipino scholar.
The talk was followed by the Deputy
Manager of Japan Railway Technical
Service, Mr. Yoshiaki Murata who
discussed Japan’s Railway Policy .
After the session, there was a cocktail
party hosted by the Administration and
faculty members of YNU and Ms. Angela
C. Dacanay and William Tangob rendered
song numbers. Most importantly, Dean Tatsuhiko
Ikeda distributed the certificates of
appreciation to the speakers and
certificates of participation to the
delegates.
The
visiting students both from UST and YNU
were toured around the Nissan Motor
Corporation at Oppama Plant. First,at
the assembly facility where different
robotic machines performed the welding
of chassis parts and other body
components of a car. The said plant has
two logistic centers: one for export and
one for local-import of components from
suppliers. Second,at the Yokohama Port
Container Terminal which is a public
port owned by the city. The terminal
management facility is equipped with
modern logistics information system as
well as huge cranes up to 50 meters hub
height or equivalent to 13 story
building. Afterwards, the group boarded
a ferry for a cruise along the Yokohama
port.
Prof.
Masao Tsuijioka of YNU accompanied the
UST group to the National Railway
Museum. Different train models as early
as 1800 to 2003 are displayed. The
railway museum showcased the different
trains that Japan has manufactured over
the years. Most of the descriptions and
narrations are in Japanese, however
using 3G camera phone, once the 2D bar
code is captured, the descriptions are
translated into English language. There
is also the model train of 1956 similar
to the trains that Japan government
donated to the Philippines thru the
Philippine National Railways as part of
the war reparation agreement. The
coaches were beautifully preserved and
the component parts were restored
excellently.
The group
had the chance to visit the National
Diet Building, Japan’s bicameral
legislature. The Diet is composed of a
lower house called the House of
Representatives and an upper house
called the house of Councilors. .A
senior congressman from the YNU district
welcomed the group and joined them for
lunch. Then, they proceeded to the
Supreme Court of Japan. The building
was breathtaking and the dome is
spectacular. The group was grateful for
the efforts made by the Japanese
professors namely: Dean Tatsuhiko Ikeda,
Prof. Hiromi Kabashima, Prof. Araki,
Prof. Masao Tsuijioka and all the
students and staff in YNU.
Indeed, the
joint workshop is an excellent program
in developing students’ understanding of
international trade and business and
above all, a first hand information on
how a first world country operates.
article taken from The Academia,
December 2008 issue.
