THE next time you see a Honda, don't just think of cars, but rather the possibility of you staying in Japan for two-and-half months and becoming our country's ambassador - with all expenses paid! And, when you see a Suzuki, think of Suzuka, the cradle of Honda cars and the birthplace of the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS), which is what it's all about. "So," you ask, "what's IATSS?" The answer goes way back to 1985. Then the founder and first president of the IATSS Forum, Dr Sogo Okamura, suggested the idea of an IATSS Forum to the late founder of Honda Motor Company, Soichiro Honda. The idea took off. The late Honda's vision for the new association was to "serve solely for co-prosperity of the region which is no doubt beneficial for the world and Japan as well, putting the interest of Honda Motor far aside".

Since then, every year, the IATSS Forum has invited participants from countries in Southeast Asia. They participate in a forum, learning a host of things relating to science, technology and culture in the process of modernisation.

Participants sponsored by Honda Corporation are not under any bond to work for Honda.

"IATSS Forum is not a place where industrial and technological expertise can be gained," says 27-year-old Cheryl Teh, a recipient of the IATSS sponsorship in 1997, who represented Malaysia. "It is a chance for participants to think over attitudes and concepts which support and enhance such technology. They will befriend Japanese and other participants from Asean."

With three other fellow Malaysians - Rafie Sakhibun, an employee with Proton; Lee Kian Foh, who later received a scholarship to do his master's degree in Sweden and currently attached to the UN in Paris; and Mara lecturer Anuar Nawawi - Teh was on the IATSS Forum from May 15 to July 25, 1997.

Most people apply for no-pay leave to join the forum, with the blessing of their firm. "In a way, it is good for the company because the employee gets free training, and usually returns a better person," says Teh, who works with KPMG and is an active member of Selangor Philharmonic Choir and co-ordinator of Monash University's alumni association in Malaysia. Teh is also a committee member of the IATSS Forum Alumni in Malaysia. The study period is about 70 days at a special facility within the compounds of the world-class Formula One Suzuka Circuit in Mie prefecture in Suzuka City, about three hours by Shinkansen bullet train (over 1,000km) from Tokyo.

"From Suzuka, we visited Tokyo, Miyajima Island, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. The people in Suzuka are very friendly and they have all come to accept that every year, there is a group of people from Asean visiting their city and they look forward to it."

During her stay, visits to the Mayor of Suzuka, Diet building and other government agencies in Tokyo, Tsubaki Elementary School, Suzuka police station, factories and farmhouses were organised.Participants are taught methods of group thinking, management and technological innovation, Japan's educational systems and policies, Japanese sense of values, communication between different cultures,labour ethics in Japan, international cooperation, technology transfer,international trade policies, and Japan's diplomatic policy, among others.New topics are introduced every year.

In a way, she adds, it is an eye opener as partipants get the chance to listen to views expressed by other participants.In Malaysia, there are over 120 alumni members, and at least 1,000 members throughout Asean and Japan. There are IATSS committees throughout Asean.

Like many others, Teh looks forward to a reunion once every two years. She joined the reunion in Bangkok in 1999. "In 2001, it will be in Indonesia," she says. "I hope to attend it." Teh makes it a point to contact other alumni in countries which she travels to as part of her job. "Even my holiday trips are influenced by the friends I've met through IATSS. In the past, I used to like to visit more Western countries; now, I want to visit my friends in Asean. I have also welcomed many friends to Malaysia," says the former student of SM(P) Sri Aman in Petaling Jaya.

"There are so many reasons people should consider applying for the IATSS Forum. It's an experience of a lifetime." 

HOW TO APPLY

Working adults who are interested can visit the IATSS Alumni Malaysia website at www.alumni.net.my/iatssmy  or IATSS Forum International website at http://wwwsoc.nacsis.ac.jp/iatss/forum/ 

They have to write a 2,000-word essay which will be sent to Japan for consideration. Each participant needs two references. The IATSS committee in Japan would shortlist 10 from each country, and conducts interviews to choose only four participants.

This year, 22 participants from Asean have attended the IATSS. "Applications are now open for next year," says Teh.Teh will answer any queries about IATSS Forum. She can be reached at e-mail: cherylteh@hotmail.com 

For 2001, there will be two forums. One from May 15 to July 25 and another from Sept 11 to Nov 21. The closing date for applications is Aug 30. To obtain application forms, send a self-addressed envelope with return postage to:

Royal Professor Ungku A. Aziz,
Chairman, IATSS Forum Malaysia National Committee,
P.O. Box 1221, Jalan Pantai Baru,
59800 Kuala Lumpur.