Japan’s GGP Grant to Mindszenty High School
Japan Hands Over New Science Lab and Equipment to Mindszenty High School
Through “The Project for Upgrading Science Laboratory for Mindszenty High School”, valued US$74,770 in total, the existing science lab was enlarged and entirely renovated, now equipped with a storage room, 7 new laboratory tables with sinks, and 2 showers. In addition, 21 kinds of new laboratory equipment, which in total are 104 items, were procured for the school.
This GGP project will enable Mindszenty High School to provide a safe learning environment as well as hands-on experience for students to expand their knowledge and interest in science. Maris Stella school students will also be able to use this new science lab and science equipment. This is the third GGP project that the Japanese Government funded to Mindszenty High School through the GGP, following year 2000 and 2008.
Held at Mindszenty High School, the Handing Over Ceremony, attended by school related personnel, MHS students, and Maris Stella 5th grade students, started with an opening prayer by Episcopal Vicar of Catholic Church of Palau, Rev. Rusk Saburo, and then the national anthems of Japan and Palau. MHS Japanese language students gave an appreciation speech in both Japanese and English and Maris Stella students welcomed guests with songs and dance.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Counsellor Tomita congratulated the MHS on completion of the GGP Project and hoped that the new science lab and equipment would be well used and maintained by MHS for a long period of time and that it would lead to further development of friendship between Japan and Palau.
The GGP’s focus areas include education, health care and environment, and its eligible recipients are nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, as well as local state governments. For further information about the GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/En/index.html.
Japan’s GGP Grant to Mindszenty High School Signed
On Wednesday, March 16, 2016, Ambassador of Japan Kazuhiro Tajiri and Principal of Mindszenty High School (MHS) Rev. R. Richard McAuliff, SJ signed the grant contract for “The Project for Upgrading Science Laboratory for Mindszenty High School”, valued $74,770, under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and was witnessed by Episcopal Vicar of Catholic Church of Palau, Rev. Rusk Saburo and school related personnel.
MHS has been working to encourage their students to know the importance of science by bringing in more hands-on experiments to their classes. Nevertheless, the existing science lab is heavily infected by termites and the facility lacks the basic equipment to operate necessary science experimentations.
Accordingly, through the project, a reconstruction of the science lab will take place to enlarge and renovate the existing lab at MHS. In addition, some basic equipment will be supplied to enable further experiments.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Tajiri stated that this project would increase the capacity of achieving various science experiments for students to learn and experiment in a safe and satisfactory environment. Moreover, as this renovated lab is planned to be opened also to the students of Maris Stella School, Ambassador Tajiri stated his hope that the elementary students of Maris Stella would also have an additional opportunity to gain more interest in science at a young age.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of March 16, 2016, the Embassy has signed 62 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan and its GGP. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455.