42. First dinner out of the class

The group had the first dinner out on September 1 (Friday). It was a kind of celebration for the group to survive the first training week! Most of the class (plus two friends), instructors and coordinator joined.

The picture on the left shows Kaneshiro san(aka Brandy san), Mark san(Kenya) and Nid san(Thailand). All photos in this article were contributed by Mark san. Thanks, Arigato, Asante!

Kellys san(Zambia) was busy taking photos. There were some others, who were also busy taking photos. Hey, this is the time of electronics and we have common folder. So from next time, why don't we assign "photographer of the day" and leave shooting to him/her, then share!





We already have some requests of other outings such as Sushi cuisine. Alright, we will have other occasions, after some important subjects :D

41. First training week was...

As a course leader, I, MTEC-HQ, have been too busy this week to update our blog. I managed to post yesterday, because it was Simon san's birthday. (Birthday should not be missed, shouln't it?)

Today, I would like to report this week.
Course Orientation was held on August 28th, Monday.

Each staff member and participant made self introduction. Then the overview of the training such as the objectives, the schedule and the evaluation.

"Action Plan" was lectured by Tokumura san, so that all participants can describe how they utilize our training upon their return.

"Basics of Editing" followed that. Seven out of twelve participants are having their first experience with non-linear editing by Adobe Premiere Pro.I was very happy that I could see the participants helped each other from this first subject. Keep going!

40. Here is our First Birthday Boy!

This is Mr. Biniam Simon Selemon from Eritoria. Today, August 31, is his 34th birthday. The entire group wrote some message to him. We all hope that he feels happy to have this birthday with us at our place, as home away from home.
Additionally, I should mention that Simon is the very first trainee from Eritoria!

39. Welcome to our new members!

The new group to Digital Video Production arrived here, while we are still missing the group of 06tpm, who just left here on 19th.
They will stay here with us until the middle of December. Good luck on them!

38. Message from other MTEC family in Burkina Faso

Ms. Chiho Yoshida was our intern last year. She, specialized in media technology, had been assigned to Burkina Faso (East Africa) as a JICA volunteer. Prior to her work there, Ms. Yoshida served for two training groups (Digital Video Production Course and IEC Method Course). Not only by her technical skills, but also by her witty and friendly character, she has been loved by us all.

She left Japan for Burkina Faso at the end of March, 2006. We had not heard from her for a while, which made us miss her. Of course, we all knew she was busy with the new responsibility and life there. Finally, we received an e-mail from her. Attached photos tell that she has been getting along well there.

She says it OK for her that we upload her photos on MTEC blog. It seems she really fit herself to the life there. Don't you think so too?

Further, she will write essay for us. We will post them as "Wind from Burukina Faso". Look forward to it, everyone!

37. Bon Voyage.... hopefully see you again!

All participants in the group left Okinawa for their home.

The quickest one (Minda san to the Philippines) might take 2 hours flight, and the longest one (not sure if it is Nervious san to Zambia? Daniella san to Brazil?) might take more than 30 hours flight to reach home.
But anyway, I guess they are home by now.

Well, I should confess that each departure gives me pain of parting. I know I should feel happy for the participants and their family, but I always feel very sad.
Anyway, the life is made like this: we meet, learn together, then part with good memories.
Remember our motto "Once we met, we are like siblings". See you again.

36. You are full-fledged, everyone!

The closing ceremony of the training course "Theory and Practice on Multimedia for Public Enlightenment and Dissemination" was offerred today.

35. You did a great job, really!

The presentation of Final Production was held on yesterday.
Nervious san (Zambia) was assigned to the MC.





Each participant had 10 minutes to present his/her production, and the time-keeper had to work faithfully :P

1. Victor san (Dominican Republic)


You should listen to your friend's presentation, Carlos!

2.Jose san (Honduras)




3.Carlos san (Colombia) This time, he is serious...




Mr. Maekawa was also serious to make encouraging comment to each participant.

4.Daniella san (Brazil)




5.Guo san (China)
Not only the technical skill, he has made a big prgress in English.

6.Sayed san (Egypt)

He showed another possiblity with Director. We were all impressed!

7.Luis san (Mexico)
He got over through the hard time to lose most of his products accidentally.

8. Minda san (Philippines)
She should have been the one who had struggled with the production most.

Victor san (Dominican Rep.) made a warm comment to Minda san. Thanks.

9.Goeff san (Papua New Guinea)
He, as well as Minda san, had a hard time of production.


10.Nervious san (Zambia)
Last, but not at least, our MC's turn.

After all presentation, Nishimura san, the Course Leader, made overall commment.

Then, Kaneshiro san, the Training Coordinator, followed to make comment. He said he was deeply impressed the products by his participants, which made everyone feel the sense of accomplishment!

34. Messages from MTEC family members in the world

In the rush of our responsibilities, there is endless things to do. The e-mails and pictures from our alumni, as introduced below, soothe us like a breeze.
Thank you so much for your current information, and we are also looking forward to hearing from each of you!

This is Mr. Adel M'henni of Tunisia, in Production of Audiovisual Communications Media (A) 1997 Course. He runs through the life, both in job and marathon.

Here is Mr. Obed Mule of Kenya, in Digital Video for Education and Dissemination 2005 Course. Obed san, carrying an elephant's dried dung over his head! WOW!
He wrote:
A year ago and a time like today i was as busy as a bee running up and down to gather vital documents, filing travellinmg documents, chasing air tickets, my visa, name it, to travel to Okinawa International Centre (OIC), South of JAPAN. It sounds just like the other day but its months away. Am so glad to share these fond memories with you today because i enjoyed every moment, and i would love to visit, or may be stay forever. Once we met, and we became friends, and thats one fact i take seriously.

33. Believe it or not.

There are three typhoons on the weather chart of Japan. According to the Meteorological Agency, it is for the first time in twelve years.

One of them, #8 called Saomai (sounds like a boy's name in Pacific region...?), is approaching to Okinawa area.

I is raining slantingly outside.

32. The Poster of the Year

The posters produced by the participants were judged by our officers. This morning, the poster by Carlos san, Colombia, was certified for producing the excellent poster.

The photo on the right shows Carlos at the moment of being announced
In his speech, he thanks to his excellent models; Daniella and Jose.


Certificate






All the posters are now being exhibited at the entrance of Dining Hall.
You can view all the posters at the article #9 on this blog.

Congratulations go to everyone in the group for their efforts!

31. Formative Evaluation with Prof. Suzuki

After only 3-day-development, the MTEC participants had the presentation of their proto type to our special lecturer Prof. K. Suzuki of Kumamoto University.

Prof. Suzuki paid careful attention to each presentation, then asked several questions and gave meaningful suggestions.
I hope each participant got inspired by Prof. Suzuki to develop better production!

30. A Special Knowledge Gained in a Japanese Office

Soon after I (mtec-hq) started working in previous organization 20 years ago, I noticed that I had gained a special knowledge. It was about "Souvenir Confectioneries of the Region". Sales reps, computer engineers kept traveling for meetings. Most of the time they bring souvenir to the partner, usually confectionery of the region. My working team in Tokyo had patners in Hokkaido, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto, so I really got knowledgeable about the confectioneries of these areas.

Now, in MTEC, I still observe the same custom. I wonder the overseas offices share the same custom? This article features Chili snack from Ishigaki Island(picture above), some others from Sendai and Tokyo(picture on the right).