Successful Conclusion of the JICA Chair Programme 2023/2024

The JICA Chair Program 2023/24 closing ceremony was held on the 16^th of February 2024 at the Vidya Jyothi Professor V K Samaranayake Auditorium, University of Colombo School of Computing. The event commenced with the lighting of the oil lamp, followed by a festive welcome that included Kandyan dancers.

The Acting Director of the International Office, Dr Iroja Caldera delivered the welcome address. This was followed by an address by His Excellency Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mr Mizukoshi Hideaki. He briefly mentioned the structure of the JICA program and also spoke about his take on the current challenges faced by Sri Lanka – External debt restructuring and the reconciliation between the North and the South. Following this was an address by the Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office, Mr Tetsuya Yamada. Thereafter, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne addressed the audience. His speech entailed the vast global impact of the JICA program as well as the immense ways JICA has supported UOC including the funding for the UOC Faculty of Nursing building as well as many donations towards UCSC.
An insightful guest lecture on ‘International Relations under Compound Crises – A Japanese Perspective’ led by Dr Akihiko Tanaka, President of JICA took place thereafter. He focused on the crises arising out of complete and compounded interactions among the global physical, living and social systems. He included many illustrative and effective graphs that portrayed the impacts of climate change, war, pandemics and GDP growth over the years. This was followed by an informative Panel Discussion with selected students who had completed the course. The topics discussed included the economic development in Japan, Japan’s comprehensive laws and policies for developing countries, and how developing countries can learn and implement technologies used in Japan’s agriculture.

Thereafter, the vote of thanks and the awarding of certificates took place. This year, a total of 100 students were awarded the JICA Chair Program completion certificates. Finally, the closing remarks were delivered by Professor Chaminda Padmakumara – the head of the Department of International Relations. Overall, the JICA Chair Program 2023/24 and the closing ceremony was a huge success and the University of Colombo is grateful and appreciative of this opportunity.