Network Meeting in the South Asian Region




Jan.19-22, 2010
Communication, coordination and cooperation were the themes at the forefront during the South Asia Sasakawa Fellows' Network meeting, held in Colombo from 19 to 22 January 2010. The meeting brought together 14 Fellows from Bangladesh, India, Japan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka attended, along with Mr. Eisuke Kudo, Mr. Eiji Sakai and Mr. Shinichi Ichikawa from the OPRF. The meting was organised to strengthen Fellows' network activity across and between the South Asian nations, and to emphasise the importance of sharing information and expertise between Fellows.
More detailed information can be found in the 31st issue of the "Friends of WMU, Japan" newsletter as well as the proceedings that will be posted at this website when the time comes.


The Secretariat


Mr. Kudo's Visit in MARINA




Nov. 24, 2009
On 24 November 2009, our beloved Admiral Eisuke Kudo, Executive Director of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) visited the Sasakawa Fellows working at the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Manila, Philippines. Led by the Sasakawa Fellows Philippine Coordinator, Ms. Sonia B. Malaluan (1998), he was met by: Ms. Ninfa A. Dominguez-Martinez (1997), Mr. Zaldy G. Maquera (1998), Atty. Jean Ver P. Pia (2003), Atty. Manuel C. Portus (2004), Mr. Ronaldo P. Bandalaria (2005), Ms. Maria Teresa Daguio-Mamisao (2006), Mr. Rodolfo R. Diawa (2006), and Atty. Maria Rowena B. Hubilla (2009). In a short span of time during the meeting, the Fellows were able to express their greetings of warmest welcome and affection to the indefatigable and dashing Mr. Kudo. This meeting proved the belief that there is a child within every man’s heart, displayed by the joy and eagerness shown by Mr. Kudo and the Fellows when they met. All of the Fellows took turns in updating Mr. Kudo of their current activities and their present work stations. Most relevant of this is the Philippine hosting of the 2010 STCW Diplomatic Conference on June 2010. Since the MARINA is the focal point for the preparations, most of the Sasakawa Fellows are expected to be tapped to be at the forefront of the administrative and technical arrangements for the conference. Mr. Kudo likewise invited the Fellows to attend the Philippine Sasakawa Fellows meeting and reception on 26 November 2009 at the Hotel Sofitel (See related article) to enable everyone to report their undertakings for the benefit of other OPRF officials, other guests and most especially for the new World Maritime University (WMU) President, Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve. Incidentally, Dr. Kjerfve and other OPRF officials attended the Philippines’ hosted East Asia Seas Congress of 2009 from 23 to 27 November 2009 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Mr. Kudo, joined by the Fellows, likewise rendered their courtesy call to the MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operations, Col. Primo V. Rivera. During this time, more stories were shared by Col. Rivera and Admiral Kudo who were both Navy officers, over a glass of red wine and lots of KAMPAI! Mr. Kudo also visited the Director of the MARINA Domestic Shipping Office, Ms. Arhleen A. Romero and talked about the activities and projects of the JICA Consultant, Mr. Masahiro Uesono. It was a fruitful visit made to establish ties and maintain the Fellows networking and unity towards achieving the objectives of the Nippon Foundation and the OPRF, to which we say… Mabuhay!


Atty. Jean Ver P. Pia (Philippines 2003)