The Study Abroad Coordinator Prof. Daimon Midori who was accompanied by the JSPS Director paid a courtesy call to the Director General for the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI), Prof. Walter Oyawa on 24th April 2023 at the Commission’s headquarters.
Prof. Maidon from Hokkaido University is the coordinator of the Study in Japan Global Network Project representing Kenya and the Sub-Saharan Africa. Her visit was a follow-up meeting by the team from JSPS that visited NACOSTI to revive JSPS-NACOSTI MoU with the aim to accelerate linkages in joint research and seminar programs.
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
The key objective of NACOSTI is to regulate and assure quality in the science, technology and innovation sector and advise the government hence NACOSTI is partnering with institutions from Japan such as Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Hokkaido University for scientific development in the country. These are highly ranked institutions that promotes science, technology and innovation with highly renowned scholars and Nobel Laureates.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
JSPS is the leading research funding agency in Japan that provides support for a wide range of scientific research and promotes international collaboration through various programs and fellowships. The funding offered by JSPS covers all science areas including social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The mission of JSPS is to contribute to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation, and to promote the development of a vibrant research community in Japan and around the world. The programs offered by JSPS include fostering next generation of researchers, supporting research initiatives, enhancing education and research functions of universities, international collaborations, strengthening linkages and offering awards of recognition.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
JICA is a governmental agency of that coordinates the country’s international development efforts. JICA provides various forms of assistance to developing countries, including technical cooperation, grant aid, and loans with a mission to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing countries by supporting their efforts to achieve economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. Other programs offered at JICA include development in urban and regional areas, private sector, social security and disability, transportation, rural agriculture, nutrition, sports, gender, digital space, education, energy and mining, health, climate change, water resources and supply, disaster/risk reduction and natural environmental conservation (a JICA clean city initiative).
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
JST is an independent administrative agency of the Japanese government that promotes scientific and technological research and development. The agency aims to promote innovation and contribute to the development of society by supporting research in various fields, including life sciences, materials science, information technology, and energy. JST also provides funding for research projects, operates research facilities, and supports international collaboration in research, and scientific conferences.
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido university is one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious national university in Japan that was founded in 1876. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of fields, including natural sciences, engineering, medicine, agriculture, humanities, and social sciences while its research focuses on a wide range of topics, including Arctic studies, environmental science, renewable energy, and interdisciplinary research. The university was commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-Japan in 2014 to implement Study in Japan Global Network Project. The project was initiated to encourage eligible population in the key countries and regions to study in Japan. The programs are operated by Study-in-Japan coordinators who implement promotion activities in collaboration with local agencies and institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The university’s Sub-Saharan Africa regional office is based in Lusaka Zambia and the Kenyan office hosted at the JSPS premises in Karen. With the aim to attract foreign students, the universities in Japan have adopted offering courses in English language. In the Sub-Saharan Africa, 70% of students studying in Japan are male while the female population stands at 30%. According to Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), the number of Kenyan students studying in Japan from 2018-2022 totals to 798. Graduate school has the highest number while professional training college has the least.
The key areas of collaboration on national priorities include having the JSPS alumni program that will be used to coordinate key areas of government priorities, request for funds for various forums that the alumni program will be holding and advise students through the alumni program on research programs available.
Kenya through NACOSTI will strive to collaborate with Japanese institution to promote the government agenda in science, technology and innovation (STI) matters for scientific and economic growth.
For more information regarding Japanese study programs see the links below.
Website: https://www.studyinjapanforafrica.com/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/STUDYinJAPANforAFRICA/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StudyJPN_africa