No.1 AHMED ASKORA, Egypt

Ahmed Askora

Name:                 AHMED ASKORA(Completed Doctoral Course in 2011)
Home Country:     Egypt
Department:         Molecular Biotechnology
Laboratory:           Biomolecular Technology Lab.
Academic Advisor: Prof. Yamada Takashi

(Interview in July 2013)
 

What did you achieve at AdSM?

My greatest achievement at AdSM is that I have published several papers in international journals and gave several presentations at professional conferences. I had opportunities to attend several domestic meetings and international conferences, supported by Grants for Research Activities of Doctoral Student of the Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter. I would like to thank AdSM for this supporting system. Also I would like to thank my supervisor Prof. Dr. Takashi Yamada for accepting me as a doctoral student of his laboratory, and for his constant support of my work, encouragements, and patience throughout the my doctoral course period. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I know that everything I have learned there will lead me to amazing opportunities in my future. This experience put my knowledge only gained from international meetings to realize in daily activities and enable me to think and work at a whole new level, for which I will be forever grateful.

Was there anything that surprised you in Japan?

When I came to Japan, I had difficulties because I didn’t know Japanese at all. Studying Japanese language was difficult for me, and I was troubled due to having few friends. But after a short period, I had experienced Japanese culture and customs, and became enjoying my life in Japan with many foreign friends. I found that Japan's living strategy was complete surprise. Japanese always think about how to make things comfortable. For example, I think, Japan must have the best convenience stores in the world. They have great foods, friendly staffs, and clean public toilets. This is because that they clean the public places all the time, and it is Japanese’s way of thinking. Don’t through away wastes on the street, and clean our places. Everyone would love to stay in such a clean country. Furthermore, Japanese public transportation is extensive and efficient and major cities are connected by some of the fastest trains in the world.  Moreover, the safety in Japan is incredible compared with other courtiers. Though I have been living in Japan for four years, I still find things that surprise me. These unexpected surprises make life more interesting, and constantly remind me that there’s still a lot of Japan for me to explore.

How was your life in Higashi-Hiroshima city?

Living in a foreign country is an excellent way to challenge oneself and stand on one’s own feet. Improvement of the living environment in Higashi-Hiroshima city was pushed forward by maintaining social infrastructure based on large industries and by inviting  universities and research institutes. I enjoyed many new things in this city that were very different from things in Egypt. For example, various seafood dishes and “curry noodle”. Saijo is a very interesting place since it is known as a famous area for Sake brewing. There are several Sake brewers concentrated at the Saijo Station Square. Many Sake-fans visit Saijo in the season of Sake Festival in October. With rich nature of mountains and the sea in this area, we were blessed with abundant ingredients including Matsutake mushroom and special persimmon (Saijo Kaki). I think the biggest problem I encountered was in relation to Halal food.

What do you do now and where?

After being awarded a PhD from the Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, I returned to Egypt in 2011. I am now working as assistant professor at Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Egypt. Fortunately, I have recently got a postdoc fellowship of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for research at Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter.

Please write a message for future international students.

Studying abroad is likely to be an exciting, enriching and fulfilling experience. But initially at least, it may also be daunting and overwhelming. New international students have to adapt to a new place, new culture and perhaps a new language, all at the same time. At AdSM, Hiroshima University, they have well-developed support systems for international students. These are designed to make the study-abroad as easy and enjoyable as possible, all the way from application to graduation. Although I have much still to learn in my life, one thing I have learned so far and try to use daily (many times unsuccessfully) is that focusing only on oneself will never lead to the greatest success, fulfillment, and ultimately happiness. Society and the hoopla around graduation encourages us to look inward, but this sort of belly button gazing will never lead us to the heights that life has in store for us. So, instead of focusing on what will come next for “you”, focus on how you will make life better for someone else. The simple truth is that we are all in this life together. We depend on each other and we are depending on you. If you are among the best and brightest ones in AdSM, I ask you to consider a career in education at universities. I still feel like I have the best job in the world as a lecturer at university. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach and serve those in our Faculty and have found my dream in the workplace by working to help others achieve theirs. Finally, one of the great things about university life is the sheer range of activities and organizations you can get involved with; there really should be something for everyone. I am glad that I came to Japan, and I would like to recommend coming to Japan as a foreign student to my juniors in Egypt. I strongly hope to contribute to my country as an assistant professor on the basis of my research here in Japan.

Ahmed Askora with Japanese flag
Ahmed Askora with Egyptian flag
Ahmed Askora
Ahmed Askora with prof. Yamada

Mr. Askora with his academic advisor prof. Yamada after the graduation ceremony


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