JAPOLAC coordinated an online meeting on September 14 between the Embassy of Panama to Japan, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, and the Panama National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (INMFRE).

The purpose of the meeting was to introduce Niigata University of Health and Welfare (NUHW) to the Embassy of Panama in preparation for an upcoming educational visit by specialists from the Panama National Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (INMFRE) as part of the Sakura Science program. Additionally, the meeting aimed to foster a closer relationship between the Embassy and NUHW to facilitate future academic cooperation between Japan and Panama in the field of health.

Under the hosting and supervision of NUHW, four Panamanian specialists from INMFRE will participate in a 7-day seminar on “Japan’s Approach to Aging,” which will include a tour of private and public facilities near the University. Participants will also share their knowledge and experience regarding “Initiatives for the Elderly in Panama.”

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, expressed gratitude to the three participating institutions, emphasizing that this collaboration represents a significant step towards promoting academic, research, and professional exchanges between Japan and Panama.

This initiative aligns with JAPOLAC’s objectives of promoting practical exchanges between Japan and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in areas crucial for human development, such as healthcare.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Carlos Pere, Ambassador of Panama; Dr. Masatoyo Nishizawa, President of NUHW; Dr. Mineo Oyama, Vice President for Education of the university; Dr. Masayoshi Kubo, Director of the International Center; Dr. Gladys Rumbo, Director of INMFRE; and four specialists from the institute who will soon be travelling to Japan.

On September 4th, the second short online program, organized collaboratively by the University of Technology, Jamaica, and Chiba University, was successfully implemented as part of the University Internationalization Program initiated by the Japan Association for Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC).

This three-week synchronous online program is designed for 24 Japanese students and is conducted entirely in English. It offers a compact exploration of various facets, including an introduction to Jamaica’s rich history, geography, and culture, a course on Jamaica’s energy sector, and an examination of Jamaica’s ecology and its response to climate change. Additionally, the program featured a dedicated segment for fostering cultural exchange and interaction between Japanese and Jamaican university students.

The opening ceremony, moderated by the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, was honored with the distinguished presence Mr. Sherdon Baugh, Charge d’Affairs, a.i. of the Embassy of Jamaica, who extended warm greetings on behalf of the Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, Dr. Hiroaki Ozawa, Vice President for Education of Chiba University, and Dr. Claire Sutherland, Senior Director of International and Institutional Linkages at the Office of the President, University of Technology, Jamaica.

During his welcoming remarks, Dr. Ritter Diaz, Director Representative of JAPOLAC, highlighted that following the success of the first online program, Chiba University and the University of Technology, Jamaica managed to finalize an academic exchange agreement, and are currently in discussions to establish a student exchange agreement. Both agreements will contribute to expand academic and research collaboration between both institutions.

JAPOLAC’s short online programs are designed to provide practical knowledge about Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC) to Japanese university students. These programs seek to encourage students to explore and engage with the LAC region through educational pursuits and on-site experiences.