Professor KADOTA Isao from the Faculty of Natural Science and Technology, Associate Professor INAMORI Takao from the Institute of Global Human Resource Development, and Study in Japan Coordinator NII Yusuke paid courtesy visits to the National University of Laos on 8th August and the Ministry of Education and Sports in Laos on 9th August.

At the National University of Laos, the delegation met with Vice President Dr. Houngphet CHANTHAVONG, who have experience of studying in Japan, and representatives, and introduced the Vientiane Office and exchanged opinions on future cooperation. Vice President Dr. Houngphet CHANTHAVONG expressed his expectations for the office, saying "Easy access to necessary information related in studying in Japan is very important for Lao students who are interested in studying in Japan. Therefore, we recognize that the opening of the Vientiane office will be of great significance to the National University of Laos and may bring opportunities for many students to study in Japan."

At the Ministry of Education and Sports in Laos, the delegation met with the Deputy Director General, Dr. Kamkeo HANSANA and representatives to explain the project and to discuss the initiative to promote study in Japan from Laos. Dr. Kamkeo HANSANA said, "Japan is contributing to the development of human resources in the field of higher education in Laos. I am pleased that the opening of the Vientiane Office will further promote the cooperative relationship between Laos and Japan." He also expressed his welcome to the Lao government.

These visits were realized in conjunction with the opening ceremony of Study in Japan Global Network Project ASEAN Regional Office, Vientiane, Laos, which took place on 8th August.It is hoped that this visit will strengthen cooperation between the Vientiane Office and local universities, educational institutions, and the Okayama University International Alumni Association, and promote study in Japan in Laos.


〇 What is Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN?

Okayama University was appointed to implement the “Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN” which is funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) - Japan in 2019. Our aim is to increase the number of international students from ASEAN 1.5 times in 5 years. In the previous phase, Okayama University was commissioned by MEXT - Japan to implement the “Coordinator for Study in Japan (Myanmar)” in 2014, aiming to double the number of students from Myanmar over a 5-year period. As a result, Okayama University were able to triple the number of students in 4 years, achieving our goal one year ahead. In 2018, the name of the project was changed to “Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN” and the target region was expanded to 10 ASEAN countries.
Currently, Okayama University has oversea offices in Yangon and Mandalay (Myanmar), Bangkok (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Vientiane (Laos). From these 5 bases, Okayama University will work to recruit excellent international students from ASEAN to study in Japan.