The collaboration between Nagoya University (NU) in Japan and the University of the Philippines (UP) has grown to include doctoral fellowships for Filipino professionals. The amended Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed on Monday on the UPLB campus in Laguna by NU President Naoshi Sugiyama, UP System President Angelo Jimenez, and UP Los Baos Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. The Transnational Doctoral Programs for Leading Professionals in Asian Countries, which were first launched in the Philippines in 2015, have now been expanded to include the new Graduate Schools of Engineering and Environmental Sciences. Akira Yamauchi, ASCI Director, Editha Cedicol, Graduate School of International Development Dean, Mikio Nakazono, Graduate School of Life and Agricultural Sciences and Faculty of Agriculture Dean, and Graduate School of International Development Specially Appointed Professor were in attendance, School of Bioagricultural Sciences Education and International Affairs Vice Dean Satoshi Okura, Department of International Development Cooperation Associate Professor Reiko Kanazawa, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Asia Satellite Campus Dean Akira Yamauchi, ASCI Designated Supervisor Junko Hatcho, ASCI Leader Naoko Okada, International Affairs Division Manager Masako Ide, and International Communications Office Director Matthew Linley.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, a welcome ceremony for the new Filipino doctoral students was held in the Umali Auditorium of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca). Shigehiro Matsuda, director of the Japan Information and Culture Center, and Josette Biyo, director of the Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute (DoST-SEI), were also present. Matsuda praised the productive collaboration between NU and UPLB in his speech. He wished the collaboration continued success as it continues to give public servants the chance to expand their knowledge of international development and bioagricultural sciences. The group, led by Sugiyama, paid a courtesy visit to Kazuhiko Koshikawa, the Japanese ambassador, at his home in Makati City's North Forbes Park.
Sugiyama and the new students were cordially welcomed by Ambassador Koshikawa, who also expressed his gratitude for their admission. As they pursue higher education at the Nagoya University Asian Satellite Campus, he also expressed his gratitude and best wishes, encouraging the aspiring professionals to excel in their coursework and complete their courses on time. Merwin Salazar, executive director of the Senate Office of Economic Planning, will major in poverty and social policy at the Graduate School of International Development, Jimmy Pogosa, lecturer at the National University of Visayas, will major in forest and environment, and Mark Angelo Abinsay, assistant professor of the Department of Education, will major in peace and governance Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences; and Karen Ardez, researcher at UPLB, to major in Animal Science, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences.
ASCI has become a crucial part of NU's efforts to reach out to the world. With an emphasis on Asia, ASCI has established satellite campuses in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. As part of its special research-based doctoral programs, ASCI collaborates with the Graduate Schools of Law, Medicine, Bioagricultural Sciences, International Development, Environmental Studies, and Education and Human Development. These programs are primarily geared toward professionals in government positions from the six nations that house its satellite campus facilities. Those with a master's degree can deepen their knowledge and experience while pursuing a doctorate at one of Japan's top universities through this hybrid program.
In a related development, the Japan Information and Culture Center hosted the Pre-Departure Orientation for the selected 13 participants and two supervisors of the Jenesys 2023, the Philippines-Japan Cultural Exchange for High School Students (Invitation Program for Japanese Language Learners).The event was filled with valuable insights and preparations as the young Filipino ambassadors prepared to embark on an enriching journey to Japan. During the orientation, they delved into the nitty-gritty details of their program, learned about the dos and don'ts, and gained insights into what to expect during their stay in Tokyo and Iwate from Oct. 16 to 24, 2023. Besides the language, they also dived into the heart of Japanese culture, focusing on manners and etiquette.
