PSU welcomed a Japanese delegation from the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). The delegation was headed by the President of APU, Mr Monte Cassim. He was accompanied by Mr Asonuma Kasunari, Director of International Affairs, Professor Koji Muto, Mr Akira Tanaka from Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, and Mr Yasuharu Tanaka from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority.

Prince Sultan University was represented by Dr Abdelhafeez Feda, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr Asem Mohammed Al Said, Director of the Center for Community Services & Continuing Education, Dr Obaid Alabdali, Advisor to the Rector, and Mr Daniel Guillaume, Director of International Relations.

Mr Cassim was keen to develop links with PSU and offered to cooperate on several projects, ranging from student and teacher exchange programs to joint research projects. He was also willing to help us expand our COOP programs to Japanese companies, both in Saudi Arabia and in Japan.

APU and PSU have much in common: both universities are very young and highly selective in the courses they offer. In addition, they are both private universities, which aim at excellence, having the advantage of being flexible as well as pro-active to changing tertiary education needs in their respective markets.