Capacity building continues to boost Lao-Japanese cooperation
Capacity building continues to boost Lao-Japanese cooperation
The Lao-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (JLI) is continuing to develop local capacity building supported by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the cooperation of the National University of Laos (NUOL).
The second joint coordination committee for the project for capacity building to support private sector development and Japanese investment in Laos through JLI was held on Wednesday to review implementation of the last seven months and plans for this year.
The meeting was chaired by National University of Laos Vice President, Assoc Prof. Dr Saykhong Saynasine, who is also project supervisor, and co-chaired by the Chief Representative of JICA Lao office, Mr Yusuke Murakami.
The five year project from September 2014 to August 2019 aims to contribute to capacity building promotion and development in the economic sector of Laos especially as the nation integrates with the Asean region.
The meeting heard in seven months to the end of July this year, the institute continued to implement its plans, especially business management and culture exchange projects, and joined with Japanese experts in improving some activities of the project.
The institute has promoted and sought funding to allow employees to develop themselves in updating their skills within the country and overseas.
The institute has also cooperated with JICA on administration and curriculum development which included responding to the demands of business and other organisations.
Progress has been made in developing a Japanese language curriculum and the organising of culture exchange with Japanese universities while the institute had recently received its eighth batch of master's degree students.
The institute joined with JICA and the Japanese Embassy to Laos to hold the annual Lao-Japan Cultural Festival earlier this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The institute has also organised seminars on traditional Japanese dress, a Japanese speech competition, cultural exchange for secondary schools, and trained employees in social media marketing.
The institute received five scholarships for outstanding students from a Japanese foundation and joined with the Honda foundation under the Y-E-S Awards in selecting students from the NUOL to study in Japan.
Cooperation and support from the Japanese government and JICA would help to develop Lao human resources in contributing to socio-economic development, Dr Saykhong said.
He also asked JICA to continue its support and boost cooperation for student development in Laos.
