JICA Chair Programme

JICA CHAIR PROGRAMME

To support future leaders in developing countries, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has initiated the ‘JICA Chair’ program focusing on Japanese studies in collaboration with leading universities in partner countries. The program explores Japan’s modernization and development cooperation experiences in light of its historical and cultural background. Activities of the JICA Chair include intensive lectures conducted by lecturers dispatched from Japan on Japan’s development experiences in politics, economics, public administration, law, and other areas.
The intended participants will benefit from engaging lectures conducted by resource persons from Japan and Sri Lanka. These sessions will utilize a combination of online and onsite modes for an immersive learning experience. The collaborative efforts of the International Office University of Colombo and the JICA Sri Lanka Office play a pivotal role in organizing and enhancing the overall program.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

2024/2025

August 28, 2024	JICA Chair Program 2024/25 Inaugural Ceremony Lecture on “Economic Growth and Japanese Management” Professor Itami Hiroyuki (DVD lecture) and Senior Professor (Chair) H D Karunaratne
September 18, 2024	Lecture on “Towards a green horizon: Japan’s journey to carbon neutrality” Professor (Dr) Takeo Kikkawa
September 25, 2024	Lecture on “Public debt in Japan and its implication to Sri Lanka” Professor Someya Masakazu

2023/2024

October 13, 2023	Inauguration Ceremony of JICA Chair Program 2023/2024
October 19, 2023	Field Visit to Colombo Dockyard PLC
November 14, 2023	Lecture on Economic Growth and Development in Japan By Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, and Professor Itami Hiroyuki President of the International University of Japan.
November 23, 2023	Lecture on Agricultural Development in Japan A Very Short History of 150 Years and Visit to the UCIARS Weligatte, Hambantota By Dr Kazuo Ogata, Emeritus Professor, Kyushu University, and Dr Indika Palihakkara, Senior Lecturer, University of Ruhuna.
December 12, 2023	Lecture on Sri Lanka – Japan Relationship and the Making of Modern Japan By Dr Shinichi Kitaoka, Special Adviser of JICA.
February 06, 2024	Lecture on Competition Law & Policy in Japan By Professor Iwakazu Takahashi, Emeritus Professor of the Meiji University.
February 16, 2024	Closing ceremony JICA Chair Program 2023/2024 and Lecture on International Relations under Compound Crises A Japanese Perspective By Dr Akihiko Tanaka, President of the JICA.

2022/2023

November 14, 2022	Inauguration Ceremony of JICA Chair Program 2022/2023 and Lecture on Meiji Revolution: Start of Full-scale Modernization By Dr Kitaoka Shinichi, the Special Advisor to JICA President and Professor N S Cooray, Professor of Economics, International University of Japan (IUJ).
December 06, 2022	Lecture on Japan after World War II By Dr Tanaka Akihiko, President of the JICA and Professor W D Lakshman, Emeritus Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo.
December 19, 2022	Lecture on Modernization of Japan’s Administrative System By Professor MAKIHARA Izuru, University of Tokyo and Dr N N J Nawaratne
January 10, 2023	Lecture on Educational Development in Modernization By Ms Nobuko Kayashima, the Director of the JICA and Dr Sunil Navaratne, the Director General of the National Institute of Education.
January 12, 2023	Lecture on Economic Growth and Development in Japan By Senior Professor (Chair) H D Karunaratne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, and Professor Takayuki Itami, the President of the International University of Japan.
January 18, 2023	Lecture on The Road to a Nation of Science and Technology By Dr Hasegawa Mariko, President, The Graduate University of Advanced Studies, Sokendai and Professor Ananda Kumara, President/Vice Chancellor of Lanka Nippon Biz Tech Institute.
February 09, 2023	Lecture on A Japanese Approach to International Cooperation By Professor KATO Hiroshi, Former Senior Vice-President, JICA and Dr Punchi Banda, Former Senior Adviser/Consultant – JICA Sri Lanka Office.
February 21, 2023	Closing ceremony JICA Chair Program 2022/2023