KU receives books under Read Japan Project

KARACHI: Books are one of the greatest gifts for any educational institution. They serve as a valuable resource for understanding the culture, history, civilization, progress, and literary heritage of other nations.

As a nation, we must learn from the Japanese people—how they rose as a unified nation and an economic powerhouse on the global stage. Japan is the only country to have faced the horrors of an atomic bomb, yet this destruction did not prevent its people from emerging stronger as a nation.

These views were expressed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi on Thursday. He was addressing a book donation ceremony held at the KU’s Audiovisual Center. The event was organized by the KU’s Department of International Relations in collaboration with the Japanese Consulate in Karachi.

The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi emphasized that Pakistan must invest in education, as it is not an expense but an investment in the future. He observed that education is the top priority for the Japanese, and their remarkable progress is largely due to their commitment to quality education. He stated that unfortunately, in Pakistan, the habit of reading books is gradually declining, as people spend more time on mobile phones and social media.

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The Consul General of Japan in Karachi Hattori Masaru shared that we hope further to enhance opportunities for intellectual exchange between Japan and Pakistan. Addressing the students, he expressed his heartfelt desire that future leaders emerge from among them—leaders who will serve as a bridge between Japan and Pakistan.

Hattori Masaru further stated that the Read Japan Project, led by the Tokyo Foundation, offers a wide range of books related to Japan, covering topics such as history, culture, politics, and other aspects of society. He expressed his hope that not only students of social sciences but students from across the university would benefit from these books.

The Japanese CG Hattori Masaru also informed the participants about the government scholarships provided by Japan and shared his happiness that 32 different Japanese books are being donated to the University of Karachi.

Earlier, the KU’s Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Samina Saeed highlighted that Japan has always placed great importance on education, culture, and international cooperation, and this initiative reflects those enduring values. She remarked that education acts as a bridge—it connects nations, promotes peace, and fosters mutual respect.

She stated that this is not just a donation of books; rather, it is a powerful investment in knowledge, diplomacy, and mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan. She added that while these books may not have commercial value, their intellectual and academic worth is immense.

The KU’s Chairperson of the Department of International Relations Dr Naeem Ahmed during the welcome address shed light on the teaching and research activities within the department. He shared that these books have been donated under the Read Japan Project by the Tokyo Foundation for policy research, with financial support from the Nippon Foundation. The Department of International Relations and faculty members are deeply grateful to the Japanese Consulate in Karachi for this generous contribution.

The members of the KU Syndicate, Sahibzada Moazzam Qureshi, Japan’s Vice Consul Kengo Horie, Political and Media Advisor Dashab Annus, faculty members, students, and others attended the book-handover ceremony.