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11 February 2010,
The professors, who are part of the floating university — Fuji Maru — which docked at the Dubai Cruise Terminal on Monday, visited both men’s and women’s educational institutions in the city but the girls at DWC left a ‘lasting impression’ on the Japanese academicians.
Professor Tateo Imamura of Tokyo Women’s Christian University and Professor Saburo Takizawa of Toyo Eiwa University are heading a group of around 300 students from around the world — including 12 emirati youth — onboard Fuji Maru in an international programme to spread the message of peace and co-existence.
The cruise, which runs every alternate year, has been undertaken by the Japanese government for the past 40 year.
The professors, like most visitors to the region, were the victims of misconception about the local traditions and customs — particularly with respect to women. But after interacting with the girls of DWC they found the misconceptions to be just that.
The professors inspected a number of classes at the college and interacted with the students, who not only surprised the visitors with their enterprising qualities and vivacity but compelled them to admit that “the Emirati girls are as empowered as any in the world.”
Speaking exclusively to Khaleej Times the Professor of Social Sciences Saburo Takizawa said “I don’t have words to express my happiness on meeting these girls, I am really impressed by their skill sets, their knowledge of the world, their presentation and English speaking ability and above all their confidence. They are so clear with their vision.”
“They are all of 17 and 18 and they are already clear about what they want to do in life. One girl said she wants to be a politician another wanted to join the country’s foreign services. That tells you a lot about their strength and confidence,” added the amiable tutor.
While Professor Takizawa was fascinated by the students, Professor Imamura was enamored by the facilities available at the DWC and other educational institutions they visited in the city. “The use of technology on such a great level, the interactive education models and other modern facilities available for students is quite amazing. It highlights the focus of the government. The present is bright but the future is even brighter of the UAE,” said the visibly excited English professor.
“Before coming to Dubai, my impression of the women here was that of traditional, backward and oppressed, but on the contrary they are one of the most modern, tech-savvy and enterprising women I have ever come across,” Professor Imamura admitted candidly.
The professors and their students will set sail on the 23,340-tonne, 20-year-old cruise ship, at noon today.
The ship - which had a stopover at Singapore on its way to Dubai - will make its next official stop at Chennai, India, before heading back to its home port in Japan.
Dubai Women’s College (DWC), with more than 2,200 students, is part of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).
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