Meeting with Colombia’s National Service of Learning (SENA)
Dr. Ritter Díaz, Representative Director of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC), held a meeting with a delegation from Colombia’s National Service of Learning, known as SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje), to explore future avenues of collaboration to strengthen technical education and workforce development of Colombia.
Dr. Díaz welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of JAPOLAC’s mission and key initiatives, highlighting the JAPOLAC Online Programs designed to offer Japanese students practical, region-focused courses on Latin America and the Caribbean. These programs are currently being implemented in partnership with Chiba University (Japan), the Technological University of Panama (UTP), the University of Technology of Jamaica (UTech), and the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH).
During the meeting, SENA representatives presented the institution’s education and training programs, emphasizing its role in providing vocational and technological training to Colombian citizens in support of the country’s socio-economic development.
Dr. Díaz reaffirmed JAPOLAC’s commitment to promoting “practical education for life,” ensuring that students and professionals in Japan and across Latin America and the Caribbean receive practical, job-oriented training that enables them to contribute meaningfully to society. Both organizations agreed to continue the dialogue and assess concrete areas of cooperation aligned with their shared goals of human development and skills learning.
Dr. Diaz was accompanied by directors of JAPOLAC, including Mr. Ajoy Sinha Roy, Mr. Neil Butler and Mr. Fredy Armijos.
About SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje)
SENA is Colombia’s leading public institution for vocational and technical education, operating under the Ministry of Labor. It offers training programs free of charge and prepares millions of Colombians each year to join the workforce, improve their employability, and develop entrepreneurial skills.