On Thursday, October 8, the opening ceremony of JICA Hokuriku-Kanazawa University Issue-Specific Training Course, “Conservation and Utilization of Maya Archaeological Sites as Regional Resources,” took place at Kanazawa University College of Human and Social Sciences.

After the greetings from Mr. Yoshio Horiuchi of JICA Hokuriku, Vice President Hiroshi Yamamoto for International Affairs, and Prof. Seiichi Nakamura of the Center for Cultural Resource Studies, the trainees introduced themselves and shared their enthusiasm for the course. After the ceremony, the trainees paid a courtesy visit to President Koetsu Yamazaki.

In this time’s course, 10 administrative officials and archaeologists from three nations of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras) will take part, and during the period of October 8 to November 5, they will learn how to conserve and utilize the cultural properties in Japan and other Asian countries, with Kanazawa University as the base. They will also visit the research institutions for cultural properties and others concerning sites in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara for observation and interaction.

The trainees are expected to involve themselves in conservation and utilization of the cultural properties in their home countries through this course and actively take advantage of their experience in Japan.