Doha: Qatar Friendship Fund (QFF) has announced the launch dates for two major projects as part of its ongoing commitment to the rehabilitation of Japan’s Tohoku region.
The first will see the opening of Qatar Science Campus at Engineering Graduate School at Tohoku University in Sendai City on Saturday.
It will be followed by the launch of Qatar Sports Park in Shirakawa (QSPS), Fukushima prefecture, on Sunday.
Despite its relatively elevated position, the university is reported to have sustained damage in excess of 48bn yen when earthquake struck east Japan in 2011. To support the hub of education in the area, QFF and partners launched $1.9m campus to establish an advanced scientific learning environment for the local community.
The campus is one of 11 initiatives undertaken by QFF to offer elementary, junior high and high school students in Miyagi prefecture the chance to experience advanced scientific research.
By engaging in experiments that will fuel their interest in science and manufacturing technology, QSC will help accompany them on the path towards greater discovery and innovation.
In doing so, it aims to cultivate the next generation of engineers and researchers and forge development of new industries in the region. “In every society, youth have always held the key to the future. Nowhere is this more evident than in Japan. Our aim is to harness their potential and help them discover technologies that will shape not only their future, but also of the world. I am confident and excited about their ability and continued success,” said Yousef Bilal, Qatari Ambassador and QFF Chairman.
QSPS is expected to benefit over 150,000 people of all ages. The gymnasium in Shirakawa was used as a refuge centre for families seeking shelter from the disaster at the nearby Fukushima Daiichi power station, but will now serve as the source of inspiration for the region’s aspiring athletes.
The $5.8m project will comprise a new complex, including a sports centre, gymnasium and stadium.
QSPS, about 170km from Sendai, will provide a safe and modern sporting facility for the community, with extended health benefits for local residents and serve as a venue for local competitions and other activities.
Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah will officially launch the project, accompanied by Bilal.
Bilal praised the extraordinary potential of sports and said, “The transcendent and unifying nature of sports is unique. It is at the heart of all communities and has unparalleled capacity in bringing people together. In collaboration with our Japanese friends, we have considered every aspect of QSPS to contribute to the region’s recovery and the health of its residents. I am proud that Qatar is able to provide support for this project.”
Plans for QSC and QSPS were announced in mid-2013. After investment of nearly $8m in project funding, both facilities are ready to welcome their first students and athletics enthusiasts. Both events will be attended by senior officials from Japan and Qatar, project partners and local community members. The Peninsula
