Saudi Aramco’s Educational Partnership Department recently co-hosted the Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum (JCCP) alumni meeting at an al-Khobar area hotel.
More than 200 guests participated in the event that was co-hosted by the JCCP. Guest of honor at the program was Abdulaziz F. Al-Khayyal, Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president of Industrial Relations. He was accompanied by other members of the company’s management including, Huda M. Al-Ghoson, executive director of Employee Relations and Training; Nasser Al-Nafisee, general manager of Training and Development; and Khalid Al-Mulhim, general manager of Government Affairs.
Also in attendance was HE Jiro Kodero, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia, along with other members of JCCP management and instructors.
In his welcoming address, the CEO of the regional JCCP office described the JCCP, which was founded in 1981 to promote technical cooperation and personnel exchanges with the oil-producing countries in the downstream sectors of the oil industry. Its major activities include programs to accept overseas technical and administrative staff for training, to dispatch Japanese experts abroad, to sponsor international conferences and seminars and to conduct studies and research. The JCCP is now involved in training Saudis to be effective operators in the downstream sector.
Al-Khayyal told his audience that the oil industry operates leading-edge technology and requires billions of dollars of investment. But he pointed out that the most important source of competitive advantage for any company is its human capital.
“And that is why the efforts of the JCCP are so important and so welcomed here in the Kingdom and throughout the region,” noted Al-Khayyal. “By focusing on training petroleum professionals, sharing technical knowledge and best practices, and expanding cross-border networks of collaboration, JCCP enhances the caliber and qualifications of our people. That enables them to be better employees, without a doubt, but it also enables them to deliver for our many stakeholders around the world — including more than 120 million Japanese who depend on our petroleum for the prosperity of their society and the well-being of their communities. This is truly a mutually beneficial collaboration, as are all of the best and most enduring partnerships.”
The Japanese ambassador underscored the importance of the relationship between his country and the Kingdom. He noted that Japan relies on Saudi oil as a main resource for its energy requirements. Therefore, training provided by JCCP ensures the transfer of technology and high levels of training for Saudis involved in the production as well as the downstream aspects of the relationship.
Also in attendance was Abdulrehman Subaie, manager of Riyadh Refinery. He recalled his first encounter with the Japanese work ethic during a maintenance program handled by a Japanese crew next to his office. “They were so dedicated and methodological that they were able to complete the job ahead of schedule; but, when I asked their supervisor about it he responded that the work performance and quality of standards were far more important. This is what got me interested in the JCCP program, whether for me or for my personnel.”
Al-Khayyal said the JCCP programs were something of benefit for both nations. “These programs are important for both our countries, and I hope that these collaborative efforts — and the enduring friendships that they create — will continue to grow and prosper for many, many decades to come.”