Invitation Program from Ethiopia to Japan for JICA Chair and Promotion of Cooperation with Japanese Universities

Day：2024.03.07

event ｜

Overview

Event：Invitation Program to Japan for JICA Chair and Promotion of Cooperation with Japanese Universities
Date: From February 4 to 10, 2024
Sponsors:JICA
Location:Tokyo, Kyoto

Participants

Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

Dr. Dereje Engida(President)

Addis Ababa University

Professor Worash Getaneh(Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer)
Dr. Matiwos Ensermu(President Office Head with the Rank of Vice President)
Dr. Zerihun Getaneh(Addis Ababa University Board of Directors Office Head)
Dr. Zerihun Berhane(Head of Center for African and Asian Studies)

Bahir Dar University

Professor Enyew Adgo(Vice President for Research and Community Services)

Primary objectives and outcomes

JICA has been supporting JICA Development Studies Program (JICA Chair) at Addis Ababa University since 2021, with the aim of sharing Japan's development experience. JICA intends to further support the development of universities in Ethiopia through the implementation of JICA Chair Program from the view of fostering the future leaders of the country, which is the key to the development of African region. However, the number of researchers specializing in Japanese studies is limited in Ethiopia at this moment.
Furthermore, JICA has been cooperating with Addis Ababa Science and Technology University and Bahir Dar University in cooperation with Japanese universities through the scheme of Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), and intends to maintain and strengthen these relationship.
Therefore, JICA has decided to invite these Ethiopian universities to Japan with the aim of deepening their understanding of Japan, strengthening ties with Japanese universities, and developing and facilitating future collaborative activities.

Content

●These are the main programs:
(1) JICA Chair Lecture:
Dr. Nobuko KAYASHIMA, Advisor to the Executive Director JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, gave a JICA Chair Lecture on "Japan's History of Educational Development and Current State of Higher Education". Participants actively asked questions and exchanged opinions on various issues such as the consistency of Japanese educational policy and the experience of the incorporation of national universities. Dr. Kayashima pointed out that the Japanese government has consistently held the belief that "Education is the foundation of a nation's future" since before World War II, and the importance of sufficient communication between the national government and universities regarding the incorporation of national universities.

(2) MEXT（Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology）：
Mr. Shigeaki KATAYANAGI, Deputy Director of National University Corporation Support Division, MEXT, explained about the national university corporation system.

(3) The University of Tokyo:
Professor Takao SOMEYA, Executive Director and Vice President／Professor of Graduate School of Engineering gave an explanation of startup creation efforts. In addition, Professor Tomonori NAGAYAMA, Professor of Graduate School of Engineering, explained about case studies of social implementation of research results.

(4)GRIPS(National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies):
Professor Andrea PRESSELLO introduced the "Understanding the Japanese Development Experience Program" implemented by GRIPS for the international students supported by JICA Scholarship Program. The participants observed a part of the program (cultural experience: flower arrangement and calligraphy).

(5) Kyoto University:
Courtesy visit to President Nagahiro MINATO, University Head quarters (Trustee INAGAKI etc.) and Center for African Area Studies (Professor Motoki TAKAHASHI etc.) has been conducted.

●Through these programs, participants commented, "I was impressed by Japanese hospitality and system. I learned firsthand that the connections between people develop into the next achievement. I would like to apply what I learned about Japan's educational development history and policies to the university's development".
Furthermore, on February 21, a Memorandum of Understanding for the continued implementation of the JICA Chair was signed between Addis Ababa University and the JICA Ethiopia Office.
In　additon,　JICA　Chair　supported　by　Tokyo　University　and　Kyoto　University in Ethiopia will be planned. JICA will continue to support of human resource development and partnerships among universities.