Rising interest among Japanese students studying Arabic in Kuwait
By Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri
Founder and CEO, Reconnaissance Research
Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri, Founder and CEO of Reconnaissance Research, recently visited Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) and was captivated by the strong interest among Japanese students in studying Arabic, particularly in Kuwait.
Although students have numerous options across the Middle East, many are drawn specifically to Kuwait. However, with only six to eight spots available each year, the demand significantly surpasses the available opportunities.
This enthusiasm highlights Kuwait’s unique appeal and suggests a promising avenue for expanding academic collaboration and deepening cultural ties between the two nations.
This brings to light an important question about how such opportunities are allocated. While Kuwait’s Arabic-language scholarship program is designed to be evenly distributed among various countries, it is worth examining whether this approach aligns with the nation’s long-term strategic interests.
Academic and cultural exchanges should not be seen as mere diplomatic formalities but rather as strategic investments in relationships that can foster deeper understanding and long-term collaboration.
Al-Anjeri also had the opportunity to meet graduates of Kuwait’s Arabic program who are now serving as informal ambassadors for the country in Japan, sharing their experiences and inspiring more students to pursue their studies in Kuwait. This highlights how educational exchanges can naturally strengthen ties between nations. Such experiences go beyond the classroom, fostering lasting connections that we must actively nurture and sustain for the future.
Importantly, Al-Anjeri’s visit reaffirmed the vast opportunity for Kuwait to forge lasting ties with Asia. The faculty, staff, and students at TUFS were remarkable, articulate, engaged, and deeply committed to their studies. Their enthusiasm underscored the significance of fostering meaningful exchanges that go beyond academics, creating connections that have the potential to shape the shared future for generations to come.
To conclude, Al-Anjeri expressed his sincere gratitude to Professor Hiroyuki Aoyama of TUFS for his warm welcome and for facilitating insightful discussions with students. Hiroyuki’s dedication to fostering cultural understanding and academic excellence reflects the strength of the bridges that Kuwait and Japan are building between them.
