206 graduate from SJAHI auto institute

A total of 206 students from the 10th graduating class of the Saudi-Japanese Automobile High Institute (SJAHI) graduated on Wednesday. Jobs in the automobile industry are guaranteed for the 250 newly graduated students.
The graduation ceremony was held in the presence of Sheikh Ali Hussein Ali Reza, of the Japan Automobile Distributors in the Kingdom (JADIK), Salim Hassan Al Asmarei, SJAHI director, Toshihiro Iwatake, secretary general of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), Jiro Kodera, ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom, Jun Yoshida, Japanese consul general, and parents, teachers and journalists.
“Today, we are celebrating the graduation of SJAHI 10th graduating class under the generous patronage of the owners of SJAHI,” said SJAHI Director Salim bin Hassan Al-Asmarei. “Nine career paths offer attractive salaries and allowances following graduation in this field. In the past 10 years, more than 2,000 young Saudis have found jobs in this industry,” he added. He further said that they are proud of the partnership of Japan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which has renewed its support to SJAHI for a period of three years and six months starting April 1st 2014.
He thanked all the contributors of the program of SJAHI, including the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF), Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Labor.
Toshihiro Iwatake congratulated the graduates and emphasized work ethics. He said over 2,000 skilled automobile maintenance technicians have graduated from the institute, most of whom are now working as JADIK members and making essential contributions to the field of automotive maintenance in Saudi Arabia.
“In recognition of the cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, it is safe to say that SJAHI plays a crucial role in the relationship between our two countries. SJAHI’s success is the result of dedicated efforts of all those involved in both Saudi Arabia and Japan,” he said.
Sheikh Ali Hussein Ali Reza said the Saudi Japanese Automobile High Institute has surpassed all expectations and become a center of attraction for those wishing to join technology and the training industry. It is the first non-profit institute in this field in the Kingdom and has strived for excellence since its inception.
Sheikh Ali Hussein Ali Reza said, “We held our hands together and worked as one team to produce such an outcome. The best and brightest contribution came from Japan. They contributed in construction, they contributed with experts, equipment, training vehicles, and they even provided the curriculums.”
He said that those who graduate will work with the company they have signed a contract with.
He also said that very soon the Saudi market will see the investment of more than $100 million in the form of the establishment of cars assembling plants and factories, which will lead to increased competition among investors in the market. He added that the Saudi market will witness the entry of new firms.
There are plans to establish 65 factories for the manufacture of car accessories and offer services of denting, painting, electronics and others, he said.
Jiro Kodera also congratulated the graduates and said that Saudi Arabia and Japan’s diplomatic relations span 58 years.
“Our bilateral relations have been good throughout the years and I am sure they will continue in the future. Only a few days ago, Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan, came to Saudi Arabia. He and Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, the crown prince, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, stressed their keenness to continue close cooperation in the economical, technological and educational fields,” he said.
A student from among the graduates said that after 3,296 hours of study and training and more than 800 hours of English language-learning, they are now academically qualified in automobile technology and maintenance.
Certificates were distributed to the graduates at the end of the ceremony.