KSU-COLT is the only institution in the Gulf, which offers a five-year integrated bachelor’s program and basic courses in Japanese.

“The COLT’s Japanese Program has been recognized for making significant contributions to the improvement of relations between the Kingdom and Japan,” said Shigeru Endo, Japanese ambassador, who presented the commendation during a brief ceremony organized at his residence Wednesday night.

On behalf of KSU-COLT, Shihab Faris, an associate professor and coordinator of the program, received the commendation letter of Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.

Endo said Japan’s foreign minister awards commendations for selected individuals and institutions worldwide for their outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and countries of the world. The commendation also aims to promote mutual understanding and support of the Japanese public for their activities.

“There has probably never been a time when the need for dialogue has been felt more keenly than today,” said the diplomat. “Having said that, I stress that language is an essential tool in human communication and promotion of friendship.”

Therefore, efforts to promote the Japanese language outside the country are highly appreciated. “I would like to extend special thanks to COLT’s Japanese Language Unit,” said Endo.

Since its establishment in 1994, COLT has been playing a major role, said Faris, chief of the Japanese Program at COLT.

“A total of 55 Saudi students have graduated from the COLT so far,” Faris said, adding that a fresh intake of students will start from next year.

He pointed out that four of the graduates are working in the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo while others are employed in a number of government agencies.