INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

Bonenkai Party– 20 December 2002

Yuki Matsuri – 8 February 2003

Welcome Party – 4 October 2002

In this issue:
Interview
Find out more about

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony…

EGPSEE-SU Activities
Food Corner

and, the history of

Republic of Macedonia

The More You Know…
“E” for “Excellent”…on International Page

E-Vision Logo
The E-Vision itself stands for EGPSEE SU (English Graduate Program in SocioEnvironmental Engineering Student Union) Vision. It is the vision in facing the world ingeneral perspective, most especially the academic challenges. Ellipse was chosen as a symbolof vision. In addition, the colors of daybreak reflected in “E-Vision” and sunset in “Official
Bulletin of the EGPSEE-SU” represent a typical day the EGPSEE students spend incampus in order to reach their goal. Finally, concluding the article by our EGPSEE officer,
let “E” also stand for “Excellent” that we always strive to be.
The Designer

EGPSEESTUDENT UNIONEGPSEE-SU Officers (March 2003 – February 2004)
President:
Vice-President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Publications Officer:
Public Relations Officer:

Philip de Guzman (M2, SGE-1, Philippines)
Thambiah Muraleetharan (M2, UEE-1, Sri Lanka)
Surajate Boonya-aroonnet (D1, ERE-1, Thailand)
Jacqueline V Satur (M1, ERE-3, Philippines)
Bikram Mangal Joshi (M1, SGE-1, Nepal)
Kouhei Nagai (D2, SGE-1, Japan)

INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editorial

International Page
Page 2Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
By Mintesnot Gebeyehu
Page 13

Messages
From the Dean
Page 3

Republic of Macedonia
By Ana Mitanoska
Page 14

From the EGPSEE Head
Page 4
From EGPSEE-SU President
Page 5Street Food-the way of eating in
Bangkok
By Nareenoot Damrongchai
Page 15

Page 6The more you know…

Interview“So far I am satisfied with theprogram…” Prof. Yuji Ishiyama

The Role of GIS in Transportation
By MuraleetharanPage 16

Projects and activities of
EGPSEE-SU
By Philip de Guzman
Page 9“E” for “Excellent”“…In a not distant future the first

letter ‘E’ in EGPSEE will be referredas ‘Excellent’ not ‘English’…”
By Mrs. Werawan Manakul

Page 11

EGPSEE-Student Union

Food Corner

The Graduates
The profile of September 2002 andMarch 2003 Graduates
Page 18

Puzzles
Page 211

INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editorial

Editor in chief
Hem Nath Ghimire

With the end of the long and chilly winter, beautiful spring is at our

EditorPhilip de Guzman
Publication officer
Bikram Mangal Joshi
Editorial members
Diane Riley
Mintesnot Gebeyehu
Muraleetharan
Sanjay Giri
Surajate Boonya-aroonnet
Cover design
Sofren Leo Suhaendi
Layout design
Antoni
Mintesnot Gebeyehu
Muraleetharan

Biannually released
EGPSEE-SU Bulletin
For comments and suggestions:egpseesu@eng.hokudai.ac.jp

doors welcoming us with the blooming of popular and beautiful
SAKURA. After about three years since the beginning of the EGPSEE
program and around one and half years of the official formation of the
EGPSEE Student Union (EGPSEE-SU), we are very happy to present
all of you with the very first issue of the EGPSEE bulletin, E-VISION.
We hope and wish, you will like it and support its improvement in theissues to come.
First of all, we would like to thank all those personalities involved
directly or indirectly in the formation of the EGPSEE program, whichbrought students together from many different parts of the globe
including the host country. We have been able to learn a lot in campus
and off-campus through friends who are from various backgrounds andthose in our respective laboratories.
The aim of this bulletin is to increase the interaction and share
information amongst us and with Japanese friends. At the same time letothers know more about EGPSEE and its activities.
Special features of this bulletin are the activities of EGPSEE-SU and listof new graduates, introduction to some special culture of different
countries represented by EGPSEE students, technical articles and nontechnical articles including stories, poem, travel diary, etc.
Lastly we would like to thank all the friends who contributed for thisbulletin and request the same in the coming days.
With best wishes,
Editorial Board,
EGPSEE-SU©EGPSEE-SU PUBLICATIONEGPSEE-SU and E-vision logos are properties of EGPSEE-SU
2

EGPSEE-Student UnionINAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

On the occasion of a release of an inaugural issue of EGPSEE bulletin, I heartily welcome thepublication of the first issue of EGPSEE bulletin by the EGPSEE Student Union and lookforward to its continuous release and achievements.

Our EGPSEE, which has been drawn up so that foreign students will receive all the necessary
knowledge during their study program in English, has been established in April 2000 and enrolled first
graduate students in October 2000.
The first graduation ceremony was held in September 2002 with eight students receiving the Master’s
degree of engineering.
Some of you might have already heard about the basic academic principles of Hokkaido University,i.e. “Frontier Spirit”, “Education of the Whole Person”, “Cultivation of Internationalism” and “Emphasis
on Practical Learning”. Dr Mutsuo Nakamura, the President of our university declared that theseprinciples needed to be given a modern-day interpretation and that with the remarkable spread ofglobalization at the present time, the “Cultivation of Internationalism” was even more important for ouruniversity in its mission to train future leaders for the society. However I think that this particularprinciple has not been accomplished in our university. Thus, I would like to ask you EGPSEE
students to act as bridges between your country and Japan, and also to support the improvement ofJapanese students’ communication ability in our university.
Finally, I wish EGPSEE student union further progress, success in the publication of EGPSEE
bulletin, and good health.
Hiroshi SAEKI
Dean, Graduate School of Engineering
Hokkaido University

EGPSEE-Student Union

3

INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

I

have written many messages for various publications, however I am especially happy to have an
opportunity to write for this first issue of the EGPSEE-SU bulletin.

I still remember the joy and worries we had back in late 1999 when news came that the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Science, Sports and Technology approved our proposal to establish an English
program at the Graduate School of Engineering. Joy that our efforts have been rewarded but since
the news came rather late, worries whether we would have enough qualified applicants for the 12
scholarships we were allotted. We were also worried how our professors many of whom had never
had any experience teaching in English would carry out their lectures, how to keep the program intact
considering the fact that students enrolled in different divisions, etc. Since then our professors havebecome more receptive and involved and students themselves become more organized - soorganized that 2 years later they even established a Student Union with a constitution and elected
officers.
EGPSEE students are selected from among a large number of applicants. Our students are
rigorously evaluated and at the same time they are also asked to evaluate their professors. It is
within this framework that EGPSEE moves forward.
I became the 2nd head of the program following Prof Yuji Ishiyama and will complete my term at theend of this month (March 2003). On behalf of EGPSEE professors and staff, I would like tocompliment the Student Union for its efforts put into this bulletin. I am sure that it will serve as a link
between different groups of people - professors, students, staff as well as alumni.
Yoshimasa WATANABEEGPSEE Head (2001-2003)

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EGPSEE-Student UnionINAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

Greetings!

T

he year 2002 saw a number of special events and milestones happening in the EGPSEE
Student Union, as well as in the EGPSEE program itself.

Foremost of which is the first ever graduation of eight master’s students in the English graduate
program. After successfully finishing their Masters studies, three of them are now continuing in the
doctoral program while the others are doing well in their respective fields.
The previous year was also marked by the admission of the first Japanese student into EGPSEE.
This means that the program is not only open to foreign students but to Japanese students as well.
The EGPSEE family continues to grow in number and in representation by country. As of now,
EGPSEE has already catered to 19 different countries.
Last year, the EGPSEE Student Union (EGPSEE-SU) was officially recognized by the EGPSEE
officers. There was also the first election of student union officers whom I wish to congratulate fordoing an excellent job in laying down the foundations of this organization and for managing various
student activities aimed towards the promotion of student camaraderie and advancement of student
welfare.
This year, we will continue to build on this foundation. We will not only be keeping the EGPSEE
traditions but will also be organizing new and more meaningful activities that will hopefully involve
even those outside the English graduate program. I also would like to commend the efforts ofeveryone who in one way or another has contributed to the successful completion of this first everissue of EGPSEE-SU’s official bulletin.
Finally, on behalf of the EGPSEE-SU officers, I would like to thank you for electing us and for giving
us the chance to serve the EGPSEE students, the English program and this university. In this regard,
we humbly ask for your support in all these endeavours and we look forward to working with you…
for you.
In the service of the student union, I remain.
Philip de Guzman
EGPSEE-SU President

EGPSEE-Student Union

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INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

Interview:“So far, I am satisfied withthe program...”An interview with the first head of the EGPSEE Program, Prof. Yuji Ishiyama,
conducted by the Editorial Board members: Sanjay, Bikram, Mintesnot and
Surajate.

Professor Ishiyama was born andraised in Sapporo, where he lived
until he was 25 years old. He stayed
at a house near the Sapporo Medical
College for those 25 years. He loves
Sapporo and Hokkaido. After completing his
master course at Hokkaido University in
1967, he went to Tokyo to work for the
Ministry of Construction as a structural
engineer. In 1971, he was transferred to
Building Research Institute (BRI), which
belongs to the Ministry of Construction. BRI
moved from Tokyo to Tsukuba Science Cityin 1979 and Prof. Ishiyama stayed at
Tsukuba until he came back to Hokkaido
University in 1991. While he was in BRI, he
had several occasions to have international
activities and to visit foreign countries. He
became the head of Building Engineering
Division of International Institute of
Seismology and Earthquake Engineering(IISEE) in BRI from 1978 to 1986. In IISEE
about twenty participants mainly fromdeveloping countries study seismology orearthquake engineering for 11 months andhe worked as a course leader of earthquake
engineering, giving lectures or taking themto trips around Japan. He visited Bandung,Indonesia several times in 1980’s toorganize the International Seminars on
Earthquake Engineering at the Directorate
of Building Research (now ResearchInstitute for Human Settlement, RIHS),
Ministry of Public Works. He stayed in
6

Ottawa, Canada as a visiting researcher at
the Division of Building Research, National
Research Council, Canada from 1984 to
1985. He also stayed in Lima, Peru from1989 to 1991 as a chief advisor of Center
for Earthquake Engineering Research andDisaster Mitigation (CISMID), National
University of Engineering (UNI), Peru. Hecame back from Peru in June, 1991 andcame to Hokkaido in October, 1991. Since
then he has been here in Hokkaido
University.
Prof. Ishiyama has two daughters; both aremarried and live in Honshu (main land). He
now lives with his wife only. His elder
daughter lives in Joetsu City, Niigata
Prefecture and has a daughter (3 year old).
The younger one lives in Ueda City, Nagano
Prefecture and has a son (3 year old) and adaughter (one year old). So he has three
grandchildren and loves all of them. His
birthday is March 24, which coincides withthat of his elder daughter and grandson (sonof his younger daughter). Therefore, March
24 is a very special day for him.
He likes playing golf, but plays less recently
because of his busy schedule. There are too
many meetings in Tokyo that he should
attend. He goes to Tokyo almost every week
for a day or two. He wants to have moretime to spend with his students.

EGPSEE-Student UnionINAUGURAL ISSUEEGPSEE-SU: How initially the vision
was conceived to establish EGPSEE? How
did you become the first head of EGPSEE?

SPRING 2003

that similar courses will be established inresearch fields other than the SocioEnvironmental Engineering.

EGPSEE-SU: In your understanding
When Hokkaido University was preparing toshiftemphasisfromundergraduate
what unique features EGPSEE programeducation to graduate education, the concepthas? What kind of distinctions, if any, isof English course had been discussed. And
there between the EGPSEE and thethe newly organized research field of SocioJapanese program?
Environmental Engineering decided to start
As to the numbers of subjects in English, it
EGPSEE. Then an ad-hoc committee wasis only one half of subjects in Japanese. I
formed and each research group sent one
hope this difference will disappear somemember to the committee. I was one of thetime soon.
members and became the first head of thecommittee, probably because I am a senior
member among them.
EGPSEE-SU: In your(My experience, e.g.
So far, I am satisfied with the view what should be thestaying one year inrole of the foreign
program, but I want to have
Canada and two years instudents that would be
more scholarships and more
Peru, could have been
advantageoustotheanother reason.)students…
program and to theJapanese community at
EGPSEE-SU: At what kind of target
large?
you had aimed for in organizing thisI hope foreign students cause better
program? Are you satisfied with the
influence to Japanese students, and Japaneseoutcome that has been obtained so far?
students also give good influence to foreign
students. I wish that the Japanese students
The English course of Socio-Environmental
could improve their English so that better
Engineering is the first attempt amongcommunication and discussion among
Japanese universities, although somestudents be possible.
universities already have had similar courses
but in narrower research field, e.g. Civil
Engineering only. EGPSEE is also the first
EGPSEE-SU: What is your personal
English program among several research
opinion on the formation of EGPSEEfields in the Graduate School ofStudent Union and how it could beEngineering, Hokkaido University. In that
beneficial not only to students, but to thesense, to start the program was the mostprogram as a whole?
important issue, and also to have some
MEXT scholarships. Probably EGPSEE is
I really appreciate the Student Union for the
more rigorous than the Japanese program,effort to strengthen the communication
since most of our students receive
among foreign students. I have participatedscholarships. So far, I am satisfied with thein several parties that you had organized andprogram, but I want to have more
I enjoyed all of them, and hope to attend allscholarships and more students. I also hopeof similar events.

EGPSEE-Student Union

7

INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

EGPSEE-SU: Please give some message
or suggestion for EGPSEE student
community.
I do hope all of you not only work hard on
your research but also enjoy staying here.
Try to have more communication withJapanese students, foreign students,
faculty/staff members and also with people
outside the university. After your study in
Hokkaido University, I hope you willcontribute in your country or in international
community.

Brainteasers• I have a big mouth and I am also quite loud! I am NOT a gossip
but I do get involved with everyone's dirty business. What am I?
• I have a neck, but no head. I have two arms, but no hands.
What am I?
• How do you make one disappear?
• I'm in a window and in a lamp. I am clouded, I am shining. I'mcolored and set in white. I say much, but I have no words. Whatam I?
• Hank is 33 years old today. This is three times as old as his
brother Harvey was when Hank was the age that Harvey istoday. How old is Harvey?
• Joe was out for a walk when it started to rain. He did not havean umbrella and he wasn't wearing a hat. His clothes were
soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet. How could thishappen?
• Twelve pears hanging high, twelve men passing by. Each took apear and left eleven hanging there. How can this be?
• What word looks the same upside down and backwards?
• If an electric train is going east at 60 miles an hour and there isa strong westerly wind, which way does the smoke from thetrain drift?
• What runs around a house but doesn't move?
• Two mothers and two daughters go to a pet store and buy threecats. Each female gets her own cat. How is this possible?

8

EGPSEE-Student UnionINAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES OF EGPSEE-SU
By Philip de Guzman(Former EGPSEE-SU Secretary)Unlike the first set of EGPSEE student officers appointed by the program officer, the second setof officers was elected by the EGPSEE students last May 17, 2002. Its sole objective then was
to draft constitution and bylaws which will embody the organization’s ideals and objectives andprovide framework and operating guidelines for the student organization, which was later
officially named “EGPSEE Student Union” (EGPSEE-SU).

Due to the nature of its objective, the members of the Executive Committee were not elected to any
particular position but were simply chosen as those who got the most number of votes. Later however,when more projects were proposed, it was deemed necessary to define the roles of each officer, and so
the following members of the Executive Committee took their post from June 15, 2002 until February
8, 2003:
President:
Sanjay GiriVice-President:
Pipat Termkhajornkit
Secretary:
Philip de Guzman
Treasurer:
Antoni
Auditor:Sara Dashdorj
PRO:Prakash Ranjitkar
As mentioned earlier, the Executive Committee proposed many projects, both short and long-terms. A
list of the EGPSEE-SU activities and projects are as follows:
1. Guidance to New Students (Aug. 30, 2002) – The SU Executive Committee gave tips andsupplement guide to the incoming EGPSEE students of October 2002. The said tips was earlier
written and compiled by some EGPSEE students but was revised to include some changes andmore information.
2. First EGPSEE Graduation Party (Sept. 24, 2002) – The EGPSEE family was so excited for the
first batch of graduates from the EGPSEE program that it decided to throw a graduation party for
the
eight
graduates(unfortunately, only six
could
attend)even
before they could get
their diplomas on thefollowingday.
The
graduates(Marjan,Ataur, Surakha, Pipat,
Ahmed and Suthipun)
received surprise introductions containing “something funny” to remember them by. And who canforget the “sakana dance” made popular by the tandem of Antoni and Haryadi (also known as the“sakana boys”) as a tribute to the graduates who have also jiggled to the popular “sakana” song
themselves. Not to be outdone were Mrs Werawan and the sensei’s who also took center stage to
get a feel of the dance floor. EGPSEE shirts, which were designed and made by the SU officers,
were presented to the graduates as a gift.

EGPSEE-Student Union

9

INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

3. EGPSEE Welcome Party 2002 (Oct. 4, 2002) – Nine new students joined the program in October
2002 and it was just fitting to have a welcome party for theseyoung and promising individuals. Each of the newcomers was
asked a question or was requested to do something after being
introduced. A quiz contest followed to see how promisingindeed is the latest addition to the EGPSEE family is. After
its successful debut, a repeat performance of the sakana dance
was given by the “sakana boys,” but this time together withthe perpetrators Philip and Diane, who were the ones behindthe dance. EGPSEE shirts which were given to the first batchof EGPSEE graduates were also sold out during the program.
4. EGPSEE Bonenkai (Dec. 20, 2002) – As another fruitful year
came to a close, it was again time to have the annual EGPSEEBonenkai Party. There was the international food competition
where the attendees had the chance to taste dishes from different
countries. The night was also filled with music as three students
rendered songs from their respective countries. An international
dress festival showcased dresses from four EGPSEE students.
There were also several games to keep the festive mood as the
EGPSEE and Japanese students together with professors battled
it out in the inter-division quiz contest, chopsticks challenge, ice
cream eating contest and tongue-twisters. The party was
highlighted by the Mr Bonenkai contest where Muralee emerged
as the winner and was crowned “Mr. Bonenkai 2002”.
5. EGPSEE-SU Constitution and Bylaws (Feb. 8, 2003) – This
was the very reason why the Executive Committee was firstelected. After so much work and numerous revisions, the
EGPSEE-SU Constitution and Bylaws was finally passed andapproved by the body in the first General Assembly of
EGPSEE-SU. After the annual executive report by the outgoing
officers, a general election was conducted where the current SU
officers were elected.
6. EGPSEE Yuki Matsuri (Feb. 8, 2003) – The term of theoutgoing Executive Committee was capped by a day filled withoutdoor winter fun. A barbecue party was set in the snow field
in front of the Engineering Building and barbecue suddenly seemed to taste even better when
you’re out there and enjoying the winter. At the same time, there was also a miniature version of
the Sapporo Snow Festival. At first,
there was some indecision among thesnow sculpture neophytes due to lackof experience but when the snow
sculpture started to take shape, theamateur sculptors worked together
handily in polishing off an EGPSEE
monument.

10

EGPSEE-Student UnionINAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

By Mrs. Werawan Manakul(Program Officer, EGPSEE)In 1993, four like-minded professors namely
Yuji Ishiyama, Masami Tsunekawa, Tamon
Ueda and Yoshimasa Watanabe, got together
and embarked upon a long process of having an
English program established at the Graduate
School of Engineering, Hokkaido University.

professors also believed that the SocioEnvironmental Engineering Group was ready totransfer its knowledge to international students.

Changes or new ideas always receive mixed
reception. This was true when the idea of
introducing an English program was floated in
While other universities have had their English
the Socio-Environmental Engineering group.
program established and received
Howeverthroughnumerous
a fixed number of scholarships
Changes or new ideas discussions and meetings a number
annually for a number of years,of professors agreed to offer
alwaysreceivemixed
Hokkaido University still relied
courses in English in addition to
reception…
on nominations by individual
the existing Japanese courses. To
professors to the Ministry ofenable students to gain as much
Education, Culture, Science, Sports andknowledge as possible within the limited time,
Technology (MEXT) and an unpredictablecourses in different disciplines are groupednumber of scholarships granted each year. With
together and offered under seven subject groups
Japanese students reluctant to pursue a higher
as shown in the table below. The way courses
degree, conducting in-depth research without
are grouped and offered here is unique and is notgraduate students was difficult.
These
done in any other universities in Japan.
Subject Groups in EGPSEE
ERE-1 Hydroscience and Environmental
Protection Engineering
ERE-2 Mineral Resources Engineering
ERE-3 Solid Waste Resources Engineering
SGE-1 Structural Engineering
SGE-2 Geotechnical Engineering

UEE-1 Urban Engineering and Planning
UEE-2 Air, Water and Environment

EGPSEE-Student Union

Research Groups in ordinary program
Environmental Protection Systems Engineering
Hydraulic Engineering
Resources Engineering
Solid Waste Resources Engineering
Structural Engineering
Architectural Engineering
Environmental
andStructural
Materials
Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Urban and Environmental Planning
Transportation and Traffic Systems Engineering
Architectural Planning
Human Environment Engineering
Environmental and Sanitary Engineering

11

INAUGURAL ISSUE

In the later part of 1999, MEXT approved theestablishment of the English Graduate Programin Socio-Environmental Engineering (EGPSEE)
with an annual allocation of 12 MEXT
scholarships, 6 master and 6 doctoral. And thiswas when the author entered the scene.

SPRING 2003

Japanese students start asking themselves why
these international students are supported by theJapanese government while they have to support
themselves, or if they are lucky enough, get aloan from the government that must be paidback after graduation.
Why the Japanese
government treats its own citizen unfairly invarious aspects has always been a big question
to the author.

The author, armed with extensive experience
working for the Asian Institute of Technology
but zero knowledge about
Japanese university system
In a not so distant future the In the author’s opinion, thewas asked to help start up the
only way to provide a
firstletter“E”
in
EGPSEE
program. She was supposed
logical answer and ease theto get 12 excellent students
growing negative feelingwill be referred to asforMEXT
scholarshiptowards
international“Excellent”
not“English”.
commencing October 2000.
students is for these
A program homepage was launched andinternational students to work extra hard andbrochures and posters sent out to over 250
perform exceptionally well academically.
universities in Asia and beyond.
From this standpoint, the author with
EGPSEE was officially inaugurated in Octobercooperation from professors and students alike2000 with nine doctoral and eight master’s
introduced a number of practices that are notstudents enrolled. Two years later these eight
followed in the ordinary Japanese program, e.g.
students received their M.Eng. degree becoming
registration of courses, reporting of grades in
the first EGPSEE graduates.
percentage, strict evaluation of student’s
academic performance, etc. Once EGPSEE is
Running an English program in a Japaneseperceived as being “difficult” – to enter, touniversity with its history stretching back overremain in and to graduate, being supported by a
126 years is not a dream job. Considering thegenerous scholarship may no longer be an issue.
fact that the university with its traditional way ofteaching manages to maintain its name as one of
While trying to distinct itself on one hand,
the leading universities in Japan throughout
EGPSEE also tries to be part of the community.
these years. It is fortunate that the program is
The obstacle is the lack of a common language.
new and rather independent that it is allowed to
Most of our students are not fluent in Japanese,come up with its own policy, rules andlikewise most of the Japanese students are notregulation so long as they fall within a larger
fluent in English. We hope to tackle this issue
frame drawn up by the graduate school or thein an open forum tentatively scheduled foruniversity.
May/June at which a simultaneous translation
will be provided.
The program is in its third year, having a total of
37 students from 18 countries making theWith the efforts being made by all concerned,
existence of international students more
the author strongly believes that in a not so
noticeable. As EGPSEE students sit alongside
distant future the first letter “E” in EGPSEE will
their Japanese counterparts, it is natural thatbe referred to as “Excellent” not “English”.
Editorial note: 1st EGPSEE Open forum: “How to mutually benefit each other” will be held at Friday,
May 16 2003 from 13:30-16:00 in room B31 moderated by Prof. Y Watanabe andsimultaneous translation by Dr. K Nagano and Dr. T Ueda

12

EGPSEE-Student UnionINAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

International Page
ETHIOPIAN COFFEE CEREMONY
By Mintesnot Gebeyehu*

Like that of Japanese tea ceremony, Ethiopia is well known in coffee
ceremony. Don’t take it as a simple coffee break, it is a gracious
traditional event that is performed almost in every housing unit, andsurprisingly daily, and in some households twice or three times a day. Letme take you back to History for a while. As most historical literatures
agree, coffee was originally `discovered in Ethiopia, at a special placecalled ‘Kaffa’. The word ‘coffee’ came after the name of the place. Then it
spread to Arabia, India, Ceylon, Java, Brazil, Columbia and finally to therest of the world. More genetically diverse strains of coffee Arabica, exist
in Ethiopia than anywhere else in the world. Nowadays, exporting coffeeis the main economic base of the country.
The coffee ceremony starts with spreading a fresh long stand grass, called ‘guzguaz’ on the floor. Then aspecially designed wooden plate with small coffee cups is placed on the guzguaz. The next step ispreparing a charcoal stove and putting an iron plate, called ‘biret mitad’ with fresh coffee beans on it. Now
the roasting process is started. The coffee beans are roasted till the colour is changed to light brown. Herethe coffee maker (usually female) carries the iron pan around for the guests to feel the aroma and to be
stimulated. At this moment blessings and wishes are exchanged, especially from elders.
Then the roasted coffee beans are transferred to another apparatus called ‘yebuna mukecha’ and grindedmanually using an iron or wooden rod called ‘zenezena’. While crushing, water is boiled on the charcoal
stove using a black clay coffee pot called ‘jebena’. The coffee powder is mixed with boiled water in thejebena and boiled for a few minutes. After that the pot is placed on a special holder called ‘matot’, which ismade of woven straw, till it settles.
Usually there are 3 rounds of serving the prepared coffee to the guests. The first round is called ‘abol’, thesecond ‘tona’ and the third ‘bereka’. Pouring of the coffee in the cups is very artistic
and skilful. One person expresses this event as follows:“Gracefully pouring a golden stream of coffee in to each little cup from the height of
one foot without an interruption requires years of practice”
The youngest child is ordered to serve the coffee. Immediately before the coffee,
snacks like bread, popcorn or roasted barley (called ‘yebuns kurs’) is served together.
It is a very special part of the ceremony.
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Ethiopian people prefer to drink hot coffee, which is proofed by the popular
Ethiopian proverb “Love and coffee taste best when hot”.
From the first round abol to bereka, participants, usually neighbours, discuss many family and community
issues. Though the ceremony is blamed by the modern generation as a time killing, it is really worthy increating community love and get together. The author remembers, as a fresh memory, the night time coffee
ceremony conducted by lovely mother, with the rest of families… chatting and laughing!
* Laboratory of Traffic Facility Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University
EGPSEE-Student Union

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INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

International Page
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
By Ana Mitanoska*

Through the history of hundreds of years, this small beautiful pearl in the
Balkan Peninsula was always the desire of the greatest warriors. It is and has
always been one very important strategic point in the Southeastern Europe
where a lot of interests from the West and the Orient are crossing. But it isreasonable to be everyone’s wish if it’s that much adorable and delightful.
This antique country mentioned in The Bible, is full with pleasant spirit, aharmony between wonderful nature and rich cultural heritage.
The shores of its beautiful lakes and the slopes of its
St. Jovan
towering mountains reveal monasteries and churches Kaneo
full of frescoes and icons, an outcome of the century’s (13-thlong development of the indigenous culture of the Macedonians. This culture has century)
given literacy to most of the Slavonic world. It is a culture that provided important
impulses for the development of Eastern Christianity. The ethnic Macedonians are
Orthodox Christians covering 67% of the population. Even though Macedonia issituated in that part of the Balkans where Islam has been present for centuries,
aggressive and militant fundamentalism has bypassed the country. Macedonian language belongs to theSouth Slavonic branch of the Slavonic languages. Macedonians use the Cyrillic alphabet, which originallycomes from this region and is used also by Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, and even the Mongolian people.
Traditional Clothes

Macedonia is an independent country since 1991. Macedonia has a population of
2,054,800 (little bit more than that of Sapporo) and covers an area of 25,333 sq km(almost equal to one third of the island of Hokkaido). The Republic of Macedonia ischaracterized by three different climates; changed Mediterranean with the flow of thebiggest Macedonian Vardar river, long and dry summers and mild and rainy winters;
mountainous climate, found in the high mountainous regions, characterized with long andsnowy winters (min. –20o C), and short and cold summers; and mildly continental climate,which is the most characteristic since it covers the biggest area, with relatively cold andhumid winters and warm and dry summers (max. 40o C).
There are four national parks and special reserves that protect many endemic species offlora and fauna and other natural rarities.

Everybody is welcome to be our guest and enjoy the Macedonian traditional food, which is a mix of theeastern and western flavors. And one cannot miss the friendly smile of the kind, generous Macedonian
hospitality. You are welcome to touch and feel this new, unforgettable experience and if you come once,
for sure you will like to come again!
Traditional architecture

Macedonian Icon

The Kale Fortress(6-th century)

The Stone Bridge*Laboratory of Transportation and Traffic Systems Planning, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University

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Food Corner
STREET FOOD – THE WAY OF EATING IN BANGKOKBy Nareenoot Damrongchai*What is “street food”? – “Street food” heremeans small-enterprise venders who provide
food, drink and snacks in an “open-air” spacefrom mobile, semi-mobile and permanent
structures.
History of street food – Street food in Thailand
has existed for more than 200 years. In formerdays, it was not called “street food” but referred
to as “canal food” because venders sold food anddrink by boat along many canals (and rivers) thatwere the main transportation network in the
country. After the modernization by King RamaV, almost all those canal food venders took their boats up-shore and transformed themselves to street foodvenders.
Food available anywhere and anytime – When Thai people talk about street food,they talk about reasonable and delicious food you can find to eat almost anywhere
and anytime. In 1997, there were more than 26,269 venders in Bangkok. On
average over Bangkok’s area, every 200 meters in any direction, you can find astreet food shop. This number does not include the convenience stores existing in
the city. The reason why people choose street food service is because of its
convenience and reasonable price. Besides, Thai people like to be free and not feelcontrolled so eating at a street food shop can make them feel more relaxed, andmore at home because they can do anything they want, even order a vender to cook
food according to their favorite taste – this would hardly be possible at a restaurantor fast food shop!
“Plastic bag housewife” – The scene of people holding a small plastic bag withfood and drink inside can be seen anywhere in Bangkok. These people include
students, office workers, businessmen or even housewives. A housewife who feeds
her family by buying some food from a street food vendor and carrying it backhome is called a “plastic bag housewife” and their numbers are increasing day byday.
Future of street food – Nowadays since the world keeps changing every single
minute, street food venders always try to adapt and keeping themselves up-to-date.
One can see Japanese “chikuwa” or German sausages put side by side with Thai
traditional pork spit roasting at almost every stall or bicycle-drawn cart. Moreover,recently, famous street food venders have granted franchises to novices who also
want to start this kind of food business. The possibility of street food vanishingfrom Thai society seems to be far away if it can continue to respond to the Thai
peoples` demands.

Tom Yum Kung

Pad Thai

Kao PadGreen Curry* Department of History and Anthropology, Graduate School of Letters, Hokkaido University
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The more you know…
THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)IN TRANSPORTATIONBy Muraleetharan*

Transportation is an integral part of our daily
life. We travel between working places andhome, we drive to shop at the supermarket, andwe fly across countries to meet people. Goods
are transferred from one point to the other partsof the world. All these travelling take placethrough crowded cities, empty country sides,
complex transportation infrastructures such as
roads, runways, rails, harbours, docks, bridges,
overpasses, etc. The important feature is that all
forms of transportation involve geographic
information. Therefore to understand theComplex Transportation Infrastructurescomplexities, and to redesign, transportation
planners have increasingly turned to geographic information systems (GIS). GIS helps them view all
kinds of information, even create models that forecast the results of a project such as building a newroad, adding another bus route, or expanding the capacity of a bridge all before time and money havebeen committed to it.
A GIS, simply put, is a spatial database. It gives
you the power to visualize, explore, query, andanalyse data geographically. Geographic locations
are stored as sets of mathematical coordinates.
Information about the locations is stored in tables
that are linked to the locations. Most of thetransportation industry professionals use GIS
software programs to predict where futuretransportation services will be required. Public
transit agencies use GIS to plan and analyze bus
routes, combining route databases with residential
and business demographics to find ways to get ArcView 3D Analyst Extension
more riders and to lower costs. Commuter
railways, subways, and light rail operators can able to track and monitor each train using GIS, which
receives data from a satellite link. Therefore they can provide electronic maps to customers, at stations
and over the internet, showing train positions and arrival and departure times so that customers can get
accurate information on when the train will arrive.
In highway engineering, GIS has been used to design and construct highways, taking into account not
only the physical characteristics, but also the environmental conditions. Using ArcView GIS, project
managers retrieve pavement condition scores for areas being evaluated and determine where money
will be spent. With the funding allocated to make repairs, they determine which highway segments
need minimal treatment, and which need either more work or no work at all. The engineers overlay
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traffic volume data, congestion data, and transit routes for each segment using GIS. Then they rank the
projects and assign a project identification number to each to indicate when the repairing will begin.
Moreover, GIS is used to find information about signs and signals (such as its ID number, date of
installation, type of standard, type of controller, and manufacturer) that need to be replaced.
Safety engineers use GIS to look for accident
locations, cause, date, time of day, and type of vehicle
so that they can redesign roads or change the signs andsignals in a way that is safer for everyone. Drivers canuse GIS to check traffic conditions and to avoid theroads where there are accidents or events causing
congestion. In addition to this GIS gives engineers thedata-based means to encourage people to reduce theirdependence on cars: to stop driving alone and ride in
carpools, use public transit, ride bicycles, stagger work
shifts, or even work at home. GIS matches car-poolers
by where they live and work, by the hours they work,and even by whether they prefer to ride or drive.

GIS Network Analysis

The airline industries are using three-dimensional
GIS more and more, not only to plan runways andparking lots, but also to view flight paths in three
dimensions, and to monitor aircraft noise contours
produced by passing planes. With this information,
they can plan landing and take off paths that they
stay clear of tall buildings and away from residential
areas.
GIS is becoming more and more familiar totransportation planners, policy makers, analysts, andRunways and Parking lots
researchers as the best way to handle transportation
related problems. Since GIS is playing a larger role in the transportation sectors, most of thetransportation departments have a wider variety of instruments and tools for collecting and processing
data to keep traffic moving smoothly and safely along the streets. Current estimates show thatapproximately 10,000 transportation industry professionals use GIS to plan, design, construct, operate,
and maintain roadways, railways, aviation, ports, and fleet facilities around the world.
*Laboratory of Transportation and Traffic Systems Planning, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University

Answers to the Brainteasers••••

A vacuum cleaner. (A washingmachine would also work.)
A shirtAdd a ‘g’ to make it gone or an ‘n’
to make it none.
A thermometer

EGPSEE-Student Union

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Joe is bald.
‘Each’ was the nameof one of the men
passing by.
SWIMS

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•

Electric trains don't produce smoke.
A fence
There is a grandmother, a mother,and a daughter.

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The Graduates
SEPTEMBER 2002 (1st Graduation)
Mr. SABER AHMED
Nationality: Bangladesh
Subject group: Air, Water and Environment
Division: Urban Engineering and Planning
Degree: Master of Engineering
Address:
E-mail: mshazzadh@yahoo.com
Thesis title: Removal of Arsenic from Drinking Water by Nanofiltration
Membrane Equipped with Vibratory Shear Enhanced Process(VSEP)

Ms. MARJAN FAIZIAN
IranStructural Engineering
Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
Master of Engineering
No. 72 Nikpoor Alley
Shahid Mousari (Forsat) St.
Enghelab Ave, Tehran, IranE-mail: mfaizian@yahoo.com
Thesis title: Lateral Strength Distribution and Collapsed Story of
Buildings“I have already started my Ph.D. here in the Institute of Planning and Management inSwiss Federal Institute of Technology from February and also working as ascientific assistant in the same institute. At the mean time, I am writing my research plan
to submit to the board of the faculty for acceptance. The subject would besomething around “Management of earthquake risks using condition indicators.”
Nationality:
Subject group:
Division:
Degree:Address:

Mr. ROFIQ IQBALNationality: Indonesia
Subject group: Hydroscience and Environmental Protection Engineering
Division: Environment and Resources Engineering
Degree: Master of Engineering
Address: Division of Environment and Resources Eng.
Graduate School of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
E-mail: iqbal@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Thesis title: The Conservation of Sarobetsu Mire: Effect of Damming on
Water Quality Restoration“What I can say about myself? I’m still here with all of you, guys…
And most probably, I will still be here for the next two years…
So, anything about myself, come to me, ask me personally…”

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Mr. JUNG CHANG-HWAN
Nationality:
Subject group:
Division:
Degree:Address:

E-mail:Thesis title:

Korea
Solid Waste Resources Engineering
Environment and Resources Engineering
Master of Engineering
Division of Environment and Resources Eng.
Graduate School of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Sapporo 060-8628, Japanjung@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Metal Flows in Thermal Treatment System of Municipal
Solid Waste (MSW) in Japan

Mr. MD ATAUR RAHMAN
Nationality: Bangladesh
Subject group: Structural Engineering
Division: Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
Degree: Master of Engineering
Address: Division of Structural and Geotechnical Eng.
Graduate School of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
E-mail: ataur107@yahoo.com
Thesis title: Numerical Simulation of Shear Resisting Mechanism andShear Strength Equation for Box and Open Sandwich Beams“Probably I am the last one among those EGPSEE students who returned homefrom Japan and shared their joy after getting a job or other better opportunities.
But all last is not bad- the last man who boarded a crowded bus
surely gets down first and have a first breath in fresh air. I have joined
Engineering Institute as a lecturer from this month-the profession I liked most.”

Nationality:
Subject group:
Division:
Degree:Address:

E-mail:Thesis title:

EGPSEE-Student Union

Mr. PIPAT TERMKHAJORNKIT
Thailand
Geotechnical Engineering and Materials
Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
Master of Engineering
Division of Structural and Geotechnical Eng.
Graduate School of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
pipat@kyoku5-sg.eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Role of Fly Ash on the Fluidity of Paste

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INAUGURAL ISSUESPRING 2003

Mr. SUTHIPUN THANESUEN
Nationality: Thailand
Subject group: Urban and Environmental Engineering
Division: Urban Engineering and Planning
Degree: Master of Engineering
Address: 199 Soi Wat Liab Wongsawang Road
Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand
E-mail: shane199@hotmail.com
Thesis title: A Study on the Alternative Decision-Making Approach to
New Schemes of Transportation in Bangkok Metropolitan
Area“Now I got a job at JMP (Thailand) Co., Ltd. It is a traffic consultant company.
My work is not so hard right now, just helping senior there to do some report.
I think it will help me to gain some experience.”
Ms. SURAKHA WANPHEN
ThailandHydroscience and Environmental Protection Engineering
Environment and Resources Engineering
Master of Engineering
927/429 Settakit Road
Mahachai, Muang
Samutsakhon 740000, Thailand
E-mail: aey1705@hotmail.com
Thesis title: Runoff model analysis based on Equivalent Frequency
Transfer Function“Now I am working as Environment Management Trainee at Johnson &Johnson Co.,Ltd.
The job is quite interesting and I am quite busy every day. I have to inspect the factory
about environment and safety to make sure that the facility conforms with ISO14001.
Actually I am not Environmental Engineer but I will try my best.”
Nationality:
Subject group:
Division:
Degree:Address:

MARCH 2003 (2nd Graduation)
Ms. SARANDULAM DASHDORJ
Nationality: Mongolia
Subject group: Geotechnical Engineering and Materials
Division: Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
Degree: Master of Engineering
Address: Division of Structural and Geotechnical Eng.
Graduate School of Engineering
Hokkaido University
Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
E-mail: saraa@eng.hokudai.ac.jp
Thesis title: Cyclic and Static Mechanical Behavior of Lightweight
Geomaterial Prepared under Various Conditions"Hi friends! I graduated from master course this March and am continuing my study in
doctoral course here. I would like to be a good specialist in the field of geotechnical engineering.
At the same time I wish to improve my Japanese having a great opportunity to continue my study here.
I wish a success to all of you. Gambarimashou!”

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Puzzles
1. Connect the nine dots with four (only four) straight lines without
ever lifting your pen or pencil from the paper.

2. Place the numbers 1 - 8 in the following grid so that noconsecutive numbers touch either vertically, horizontally, ordiagonally.

3. The challenge is one of arranging.
Rearrange the cards, moving as few as possible, so that the twocolumns add up to the same number.

The answers will be in the next issue

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EGPSEESTUDENT UNION©EGPSEE-Student Union 2003
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