President and Vice President of Syria's Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums Visit University of Tsukuba

On November 28, President Anas Haj Zeidan and Vice President Lina Kutiefan of the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) of the Syrian Arab Republic visited the University of Tsukuba. DGAM is the governmental authority responsible for the protection and management of Syria's cultural heritage, archaeological sites, and museums.

From the University of Tsukuba, the meeting was attended by Vice President OHNEDA Osamu (Global Affairs), Vice President and Executive Director ENDO Yasunori (Research), Professor Emeritus TSUNEKI Akira of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Director SHIBATA Daisuke of the Research Center for West Asian Civilization (RCWA), Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences), and Professor TANIGUCHI Yoko of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences).

DGAM and RCWA have been collaborating through the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan's "International Cooperation for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Project," specifically the "International Cooperation Project for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Syrian Arab Republic." Through this initiative, the two institutions have worked together to protect and document cultural heritage sites damaged during the Syrian civil war.

During the meeting, President Zeidan reflected on the long history of archaeological excavations and preservation efforts jointly undertaken by DGAM and RCWA. He also introduced ongoing initiatives with international organizations such as UNESCO and ICCROM, including projects focused on digital documentation and the restoration of cultural heritage.

In response, Vice President OHNEDA stated that the visit provided an important opportunity to reaffirm the historical and cultural significance of Syrian archaeological sites, He also expressed the University's intention to further enhance the global presence of RCWA as a leading hub for research on West Asian heritage.

Vice President and Executive Director ENDO highlighted the potential application of digital twin technologies currently being used by the University of Tsukuba in archaeological research in Cambodia, as well as possibilities for cooperation in heritage protection based on the University's expertise in earthquake research and risk management.

Further strengthening of collaboration between the University of Tsukuba and the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums is highly anticipated.