Kyoto University gets a gift of 28,000 books from Pakistan

TOKYO: Pakistan gifted 28,000 books to the Department of Foreign Languages of Kyoto University to help build a better understanding of Pakistan, its rich history, culture and traditions among the Japanese students.

The books in Urdu, English, Arabic and Persian languages were presented here at the Kyoto University by Dr. Moinuddin Aqeel, former Professor and Chairman of Urdu Department of University of Karachi.

Dr. Aqeel has served as Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature in the Islamic University of Islamabad. He also taught Urdu at Tokyo, Sophia, Daito Bunka and Osaka Universities in Japan from 1993 to 2000. He holds highest D. Litt and Ph.D. awards.

The collection of Pakistan origin books gifted to the University of Kyoto was the largest overseas Pakistani book collection, other than the one at the British Library in London.

In acknowledgement of the valuable gift, the University of Kyoto presented a certificate of Appreciation to Pakistan's Consul in Osaka for his efforts in getting the books delivered to Japan.