ON BOARD THE M.V. FUJI MARU, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian participants in The Ship for 36th Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) found that they could learn a lot from the Japanese, especially in what it takes to be a developed nation.
The SSEAYP is a 53-day youth exchange programme which began on Oct 28, this year in Tokyo.
Participated by 319 selected youths from the 10 Asean member-countries and Japan, its aim is to promote friendship and mutual understanding among participants.
As part of the programme, the youths participated in homestay programmes and other activities in 11 prefectures or cities and had an audience with Prince and Princess Akishino while in Japan.
The youths left Japan on Nov 6 for Manila on board of a cruise ship, 'Fuji Maru', and Nov 19 morning, it berthed at West Port, Port Klang, Malaysia. On Monday, it will sail to its next stop, Singapore.
Their arrival here was welcomed by Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Razali Ibrahim and the Japanese Embassy's Japan Information Service director Yumiko Fujiwara.
One of the participants, Suhail Mohamed Kamaruddin, 24, told reporters that through the programme, he and fellow Malaysians found the Japanese to be particular, meticulous and analytical.
He said, by being meticulous and analytical, the Japanese Government managed to organise this programme which started way back in 1974, participated by the Japanese youths and those from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Furthermore, said the programme assistant of the International Youth Centre in Malaysia, the Japanese education culture encouraged their people not only to be a receiver but an inventor and creator, as well Mohsinar Malek, 38, the country leader for the programme, said that was why former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad launched the Look East Policy so that Malaysians could understand the Japanese's work culture.
The officer with the youth and sports ministry said, Japanese youths who were in the programme, would jot down notes on what they saw and experienced, including cultural dances performed by the Malaysian youths.
Despite the good things about the Japanese, the Malaysian participants on board the M. V. Fuji Maru were proud to be Malaysians.
The youths are scheduled for an interaction programme with those from Putra University, Malaysia (UPM), International Islamic University Malaysia and University of Science, Malaysia at UPM campus Nov 20, before joining the homestay programme with Malaysian families. (BERNAMA)
Today In Asia : Last Update : 10:21:25 20 November 2009 (GMT+7:00)
|
