The 8th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies was held at YKC over two days, October 29 and 30, as part of the AOTS 50th Anniversary Event.

Fifty years of technical assistance activities applying private-sector initiative

An AOTS Alumni Society (AAS) is an autonomous, non-profit organization established in the countries of ex-trainees who return from Japan so that they can share their common experiences of training at AOTS. There are currently 69 AAS branches established in 42 countries.

Two of the ten stories presented at the AOTS Success Story Convention (held on October 27, a day before the AAS convention) were about an Alumni Society activity itself. As evidenced by the fact that five of the presenters of individual activities were AAS core members, the AAS organization and its members truly exemplify the 50 years of AOTS accomplishments. This was confirmed during the International Symposium, the 50th anniversary’s main event held on October 28.

Overview of the 8th Convention

The convention was the largest in history in terms of the number of representatives (68), participants (211) and participating countries (41). With 14 participants from Japan Sri Lanka Technical & Cultural Association (JASTECA, Sri Lanka), 13 from Alumni Society of AOTS, Kerala Regional Centre (ASAKERALA, India) and 10 each from Kuala Lumpur (PAAM, Malaysia) and Bangladesh AOTS Alumni Society (BAAS, Bangladesh) leading the list, there were several participants, in addition to the representative, from most of the AASs.

211 participants from 68 alumni societies of 41 countries gather for the inaugural session

Main theme discussion group B listens to the chairperson’s explanation

He large opening ceremony attended by Mr. Atsuo Shibota, Director General, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mr. Shigefumi Matsuzawa, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture.

In the General Meeting that followed, AOTS President Kaneko acknowledged the AOTS and AAS accomplishments of the past 50 years based on the Success Story Convention and International Symposium and spoke about the orientation of AOTS from here forward and expectations for AAS. This was followed by AOTS Managing Director Kusuda’s report on new business models as a new area for cooperation with AAS. With this report on AOTS as the basis for discussion, the 211 AAS members broke into eight groups and discussed the main themes and sub themes.

Federation of Southeast Asian AOTS Alumni Societies members in vigorous discussion at the regional federation meeting

Bangladesh alumni society members distribute souvenir gifts they brought for convention participants

The chairperson for each group was elected by a vote of the 68 representatives, and all showed outstanding leadership as vigorous discussion took place in all the groups. The eight chairpersons incorporated the results of the 14 group discussions, main discussions and sub theme discussions, and the discussion of the six regional federations, and established a draft resolution as the deliverable for this convention. This then received a unanimous vote at the closing session and was adopted as the Yokohama Resolution 2009.

JASTECA members at the farewell party present their souvenir gift

Participants of the convention exchanging across borders at the farewell party

Outline of The 8^th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies

1. Organizer : The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS)
2. Date & Time : Thursday, 29 and Friday, 30 October 2009
3. Venue : AOTS Yokohama Kenshu Center
4. Participants : Approx. 250 persons from 69 AOTS Alumni Societies in 42 countries
5. Language : English
6. Program :
   

   < The 1st day >

   1. Inaugural Session
   2. General Assembly (Opening)
      
      1. 1) Selection of the Chairpersons and Adoption of Agenda
      2. 2) Report from AOTS and others
   3. Main Theme Discussions (by four Groups)
      "Current Situation and Future Direction of AAS -Where is AAS going?-"
   4. Regional Federation Meetings

   < The 2nd day >

   5. Sub Theme Discussions (by four Groups)
      
      1. 1) HRD Policy and Action Plan for HRD by AAS
      2. 2) Effective and Efficient Organizational Management for AAS
         - Know-how Sharing among AAS
      3. 3) Strengthening the AAS Network and Business Strategy for the Future
      4. 4) AASs' Collaborative Businesses with AOTS, Evolving into their Contribution toward the Globe
   6. WNF Management Committee Meeting / Committee Meeting for Drafting Resolution of the Convention / Sub Program
   7. General Assembly (Closing)
      Reports of the Regional Federations and WNF Management Committee Meetings, Adoption of Resolution, and others
   8. Farewell Party