Hussam Zaineh

Dr. Hussam Zaineh was born in Syria and grew up with a passion for engineering and education. He graduated from Damascus University in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He then pursued further studies in geotechnical engineering at the same university and obtained a higher study diploma in 2002.

Dr. Zaineh was interested in learning more about earthquake engineering, as he wanted to contribute to the safety and resilience of buildings and infrastructure. He applied for several scholarships and programs abroad and was accepted to study at different institutions in China, Macedonia, and Germany. He earned postgraduate diplomas from each of these countries between 2001 and 2005.

In 2006, Dr. Zaineh moved to Japan to pursue his master's degree in disaster management at GRIPS University in Tokyo. He learned about the various aspects of disaster risk reduction, such as prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. He also developed his skills in research and communication.

After completing his master's degree in 2007, Dr. Zaineh decided to continue his academic journey and enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He focused on earthquake engineering and conducted experiments on local site amplifications and site responses. He also participated in several conferences and workshops where he presented his findings and exchanged ideas with other experts.

Dr. Zaineh completed his Ph.D. in 2013 with an excellent dissertation that received praise from his supervisors and peers. He then decided to apply his knowledge and experience to the field of education. He became the principal of International Islamia School Otsuka (IISO), a Primary and High junior bilingual school that offers Cambridge education combined with Islamic education and Arabic language courses for students from diverse backgrounds. He also became the academic advisor of Arabic Virtual School Japan (AVSJ), an online platform that provides Arabic lessons for children and adults.

Dr. Zaineh is not only an educator but also a humanitarian. He is the founder and team leader of Syrian Hands, a volunteer group that supports Syrian refugees and Syrian Orphans. He helps them with their educational and medical needs. He also co-founded the Arabic Association in Japan (AAJ), a non-profit organization that promotes Arabic culture and language among Japanese people.

Dr. Zaineh is an inspiring example of someone who has overcome many challenges and achieved many successes through hard work, dedication, and passion.