Home > About Us > Awards and Special Prizes > Special Prizes (2002) > Profile > The Old Japan Students' Association, Thailand (OJSAT) (Thailand)
About Us
The Japan Foundation Awards / Special Prizes (2002) - Profile
- The Japan Foundation Awards
- Makoto Ooka / Gerald L. Curtis
- The Japan Foundation
Special Prizes - The Old Japan Students' Association, Thailand (OJSAT) /
"Japanese Mothers for Foreign Students" Movement of the Tokyo YWCA /
Warsaw University, Oriental Studies Institute, Department of Japanese and Korean Studies
The
Old Japan Students' Association, Thailand (OJSAT) (Thailand)
This Association, known as OJSAT, has the longest history of its kind in
all Asia, and, over a period of many years, it has made an enormous contribution
toward the uniting of former exchange students to Japan in Thailand, the enhancement
of their social position, and the introduction of Japanese culture to Thailand.
At present, it has a Membership of 2,700. It has made a significant contribution
to Thai society, and some members have served as congressmen and cabinet members.
In addition, OJSAT makes concerted efforts toward the development of Japanese-language
education through its own Japanese-language school; carries out a broad variety
of events for the introduction of Japanese culture; and plays an indispensable
role in the formulation and maintenance of the present favorable relationship
between Japan and Thailand.
Brief History
| 1951 | Established under the name of Old Japan Students' Association (OJSA) |
|---|---|
| 1964 | Opened the Rajdamri Japanese-Language School (RJLS) |
| 1966 | Placed under the patronage of His Majesty King Bhumipol |
| 1986 | Established a northern branch (Chiang Mai) |
| 1991 | Initiated publication of the Japanese-language education. periodical Ano-ne |
| 1994 | Changed its name to Old Japan Students' Association, Thailand (OJSAT) |
| 2001 | Held events in celebration of its 50th anniversary |
Major Activities
- Strengthening of Links and Exchange Among Japan
Alumni Thai Members
Apart from the individual members, there are ten major groups registered under OJSAT, including the Japanese-Speaking Guide Association and the Kyoto University Alumni Association. OJSAT contributes to Thai society through training sessions and seminars, the publishing of a periodicals and books, the carrying out of aid programs, and the providing of information. - Operation of a Japanese-Language School and Cooperation
in Education
At the Rajdamri Japanese-Language School (RJLS) and its two branches, a total of 130 Japanese-language classes are held, with a total enrolment of over 5,000 students. In cooperation with the Japan Foundation, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is administered and Japanese-language speech contexts are held, and the Japanese-language periodical Ano-ne is published quarterly. - Publications, Academic Activities, and Seminars
OJSAT publishes books written by Japan alumni, supports the publication of seminar/workshop proceedings and academic work, and publishes the OJSAT Journal for its members. - Social, Artistic, and Cultural Activities
OJSAT carries out such programs for the introduction of Japanese culture as ikebana, origami, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and Japanese cuisine classes. - International Exchange
OJSAT is a member of the ASEAN Council for Japan Alumni (ASCOJA), and actively participates in its programs for the purpose of promoting solidarity and prosperity among Japan alumni in ASEAN nations. The general meeting of the ASCOJA has been held in Thailand three times.