As part of its social contribution activities, Sumitomo Corporation has been sponsoring a program at Nankai University since 2007. The University, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, is one of China's leading national universities, along with Beijing University and Tsinghua University. The institution's notable alumni include former premier Zhou Enlai, and current premier Wen Jiabao, who both graduated from Nankai High School, which is affiliated with the University. In order to contribute to the development of the next-generation's work force, we are offering this open lecture with experienced speakers in each specialized field from inside and outside the company.

In its third year, and in response to the University's request, the program has become a half-year lecture series with 11 periods, allowing students to earn course credits. Under the theme of "Corporate Social Responsibilities", classes are taught by both eminent professors from famous Chinese universities and lecturers with business experience dispatched from our company. Thus, the program is a unique collaboration between a company and a university, which allows students to study "Corporate Social Responsibilities" from an academic viewpoint while learning from the actual experience of business people.

Launching the lecture series, Takashi Kano, our Senior Managing Executive Officer, spoke before students. The audience listened closely as Kano expressed his gratitude for being able to continue to make contributions toward the long friendship between Tianjin City and Sumitomo Corporation. As he offered his congratulations on China's 60th Anniversary, the audience expressed its excitement with a strong round of applause. It became apparent that students valued the program and would learn much from it.

Sumitomo Corporation will further pursue social contribution activities, based on its corporate identity, with the hope of deepening the mutual understanding and cooperation between China and Japan.