AOTS - AOTS 50th Anniversary - 50-year History of AOTS(1959

1959

The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) Established (August): AOTS was established by the Japan Machinery Federation and the Asian Students Cultural Association (ASCA) as the first technical cooperation organization through the public-private partnership with the support of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (the present Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry).

AOTS Regular Training Program Started (General Orientation Course Started): The content of the General Orientation Course was not clear at the time. Training was provided with the support of specialists from various fields. The Asia Bunka Kaikan was yet to be opened. AOTS rented office space in Tokyo to provide training programs and for operations of the secretariat. In the first year of its establishment, AOTS accepted only 43 trainees.

The Asia Bunka Kaikan (ABK) Opened (June), Operations of AOTS at ABK Started: From the second year of its establishment, AOTS started operating from the Asia Bunka Kaikan, which was owned by the Asian Students Cultural Association (ASCA). The AOTS Head Office and trainee accommodation had been based at ABK till 1982 when they moved to the present Tokyo Kenshu Center of AOTS.

A Japanese Journal "KAIHO (Overseas Trainees Magazine)" First Published. (The Title Changed to "KENSHU" Later): AOTS set up the Screening Committee and the Japanese Language Teacher Meeting and started publishing the magazine "KAIHO" to strengthen its public relations activities and improve its business structure.

3-week General Orientation Course Started: To provide 3-week training course as part of its General Orientation Course, AOTS set up the Program Director Meeting, a guidance organization, which aims to further enhance the course including its design and implementation. AOTS accepted 105 trainees.

Service for Ex-trainees Started, An English Journal "KENSHU" First Published: AOTS has been keeping the eye on ex-trainees' activities from early on and concentrating on the active follow-up of ex-trainees, including the publishing of an English magazine. The first issue carried a message, "Enhancing friendship and solidarity between Japan and Asia, Africa and Latin America further" at the beginning.

5-week General Orientation Course Started (Its Name Changed to 6-week General Orientation Course Later to Include 1-week Study Tour): The General Orientation Course was extended from 10 days to 3 weeks in FY1960. A Japanese language-centered, 5-week training course was then developed. Once established, the 5-week training course, the prototype of General Orientation Course, became a standard form of AOTS Training Program, which consists of 1.5 month of General Orientation Course and study tour and (an average of) 4.5 month of training at host companies.

Japanese Teaching Material "Practical Japanese Conversation" Created: Target trainees' stay is short, which makes it necessary to help them build up the ability to communicate with the Japanese in a short time. AOTS decided to develop its own Japanese teaching materials, because necessary Japanese teaching materials were not available.

First Survey Mission on Results of Training Sent to the Ex-trainee's Countries: AOTS implemented the first survey mission on results of training sent to the ex-trainee's countries, with a view to identifying how results of training are used practically, improving post-training service programs, etc., and enhancing partnerships. Ex-trainees welcomed the AOTS survey team enthusiastically. The team met more than 200 ex-trainees in person.

Yokohama Kenshu Center Opened (April) ,Kansai Kenshu Center Opened (October): AOTS opened its first two Kenshu Centers in Yokohama and Osaka in accordance with its policy of achieving desired effects of training by incorporating study into daily life, as in the case of ABK. Preparation was made to provide training in three locations including ABK. AOTS staff was stationed at Kenshu Centers to live with trainees under one roof.

Asia Bunka Kaikan (ABK) Alumni Societies Inaugural Ceremony Took Place: The First Survey Mission on Results of Training Sent to Ex-trainee's Countries, which aimed to improve the AOTS Training Program and develop training courses, contributed, in part, to the formation of the alumni association. The ABK Alumni Societies was formed in November.

the 1st Covention of ABK Alumni Societies: The survey revealed that many ex-trainees strongly hope that opportunities will be given to other persons, and that they will be given opportunities for retraining. To respond to their hope, AOTS introduced the "Alumni Society Recommended Training Scheme" to accept trainees recommended by ex-trainees.

"Practical Japanese Conversation" Published: There was a move to introduce a common Japanese textbook to standardize teaching methods for Japanese language education at AOTS, which led to the creation of the "Practical Japanese Conversation". It was revolutionary as a Japanese language textbook, because it included extensive know-how based on the past achievements and experience of AOTS.

AOTS Started Accepting Trainees Recommended by ex-trainee (AOTS Alumni Society): The Alumni Society Recommended Training Scheme started upon request from ex-trainees since 1967. With the cooperation of host companies, AOTS accepted 20 trainees.

JMF-Sponsored Program for Alumni Society Recommended Training Started: Following the commencement of Alumni Society Recommended Training Scheme, AOTS started undertaking a project sponsored by the Japan Keirin Association. With the Promotion Funds of Machine Industry from JKA, AOTS started accepting 20 trainees per year. The number of trainees to be accepted doubled at once.

UNIDO Training Program Started (~1996): The Ministry of International Trade commissioned AOTS to implement the UNIDO Training Program to respond to the request from UNIDO. For the first fiscal year, AOTS provided its first 10 week management training course to 12 trainees from 6 countries. This provided the foundation for planning and implementation of AOTS Management Training Course. A total of 413 trainees participated in the UNIDO Training Program.