Community engagement through academia

Aramco Asia Japan (AAJ) was in partnership with The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), locally known as “Miraikan,” aiming to contribute to knowledge dissemination and public interest enhancement as to science and technology.

Located in the metropolitan area of Tokyo, the museum attracts over one million visitors from all over the world every year. The experience-based exhibitions not only showcase the cutting edge science and technology, but also help the audiences understand how science and technology can influence the future of the world.

In 2018, Aramco inaugurated the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). The edutainment initiative at Ithra is environed to promote cross-cultural development through its multi-purpose facilities which include an auditorium, a modern library, an exhibition hall, laboratories and series of museums.

Both Miraikan and Ithra see wide range of commonalities that would generate cooperation and collaboration.   

The Geocosmos, a symbolic exhibit at Miraikan, is the world's first “Earth display” utilizing organic EL panels. AAJ supported the production of its content, “Digging the Future.” This work received the Encouragement Award at the Advanced Imaging Society Lumière Japan Awards 2020. The simultaneously produced English-language animated video, “Encounter with Earth,” was provided to educational institutions as teaching material.

The interaction between the two was very active. The interaction between the two was very active.Ithra invited Miraikan’s Chief Executive Director Dr. Mamoru Mohri at that time to its annual creativity season Tanween as speaker. Meanwhile, Ithra’s Head of Performing Arts & Cinema spoke at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers held at Miraikan.

The keyword of Miraikan’s activities is TSUNAGARI - a Japanese word for linkage, relation, and connection. It recognizes the relationships between 10 billion people and the 4.6-billion-year-old earth, valuing the collaboration with national and international organizations to implement activities for the future. AAJ looks forward to the TSUNAGARI with Miraikan.