Preparatory Meeting for the International Career Seminar (ICS) 2024 Organized by Utsunomiya University

Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, participated in an online preparatory meeting for lecturers and students of the International Career Seminar (ICS) organized by Utsunomiya University.

The primary objective of the ICS is to provide students with a comprehensive global perspective to pursue international careers, focusing on essential concepts such as “Globalization” and “Glocalization.” These concepts highlight the increasing importance of global issues within local communities.

The ICS is a three-day seminar conducted in English, covering subjects such as International Business, International Cooperation, Multi-cultural Society and Japan, and Cross-cultural Understanding/Communication. The use of English as the primary medium of instruction offers students a unique opportunity to engage in international discussions with foreign professors, lecturers, and peers, exposing them to international communication.

The seminar features lectures by professors from Utsunomiya University and guest lecturers with extensive global experience in higher education, international business, and other related fields.

In addition to Utsunomiya University, this year’s ICS includes participation from students of Universiti Malaysia, Sarawak, Unimas, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Thammasat University of Thailand.

It is worth noting that this is the third year that the Director of JAPOLAC has been invited to deliver a lecture on International Business from the perspective of commercial diplomacy.

Online Meeting to Foster Academic Collaboration Between the Medical Schools Chiba University and Panama University

The Japanese Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) recently hosted a virtual meeting to foster academic exchanges between the medical schools of Chiba University and Panama University.

During the meeting, professors from both institutions showcased their academic programs in immunology and explored opportunities for faculty, researcher, and student exchanges.

Chiba University representatives highlighted their partnership with the Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccine Development at the University of California, San Diego, which organizes annual conferences for immunology specialists. They also announced the addition of a specialist from the National Institute for Infectious Disease of Japan to further strengthen their immunology department.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC and the meeting’s moderator, highlighted the recent establishment of a regional office by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Panama, aimed at managing health security across Central America and the Caribbean. This development, he emphasized, makes the timing for academic cooperation between both medical schools particularly opportune.

JAPOLAC aims to promote academic exchanges and build a robust academic and research network between Japanese and Latin American and Caribbean universities. This meeting marks a new step toward achieving that goal.

Hashi Duo Concert in Tokyo to Deepen Japan-Costa Rica Friendship

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Director of JAPOLAC, participated in the Japan-Costa Rica Friendly Concert featuring the excellent performance of Hashi Duo, a musical pair consisting of Japanese pianist Moe Takamatsu and Costa Rican guitarist Adrián Montero. The concert was jointly organized by the Embassy of Costa Rica and the Min-On Concert Association.

The event opened with greetings from the Ambassador of Costa Rica, Alexander Salas, and Min-On President Koji Yamaguchi. The concert was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Japanese personalities, and the general public, who enjoyed the unique combination of musical notes from Japan and Costa Rica.

Ambassador Salas remarked that Hashi Duo represents a true human bridge that helps strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity that have characterized the relationship between Costa Rica and Japan for many years.

“Hashi” means bridge in Japanese, and as its name suggests, these two talented artists seek to create musical bridges, connecting and exploring the differences and similarities between Japanese and Latin American cultures. Hashi Duo also played a song from the Puerto Rican composer Hermelindo Ruiz, who accompanied the pair.

Meeting with The National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Panama

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, held a virtual meeting with Dr. Eduardo Ortega-Barría, National Secretary of The National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT), to gain insights into SENACYT’s initiatives in developing the semiconductor industry in Panama.

Dr. Ortega-Barría highlighted that in 2023, the US government included Panama in a partnership to explore opportunities for growth and diversification of the global semiconductor ecosystem under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (ITSI Fund), created by the CHIPS Act of 2022. This partnership aims to create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain, emphasizing the significant potential for expansion between the United States and Panama.

In response, the government of Panama announced a national strategy for the development and promotion of microelectronics and semiconductor activities. This strategy aims to integrate Panama into the global microelectronics and semiconductor value chain, especially considering Panama’s strategic logistics hub in the Latin America and Caribbean region. It also calls for the training of human resources and the promotion of research and development related to semiconductor manufacturing.

Dr. Diaz explained to Dr. Ortega-Barría that JAPOLAC’s activities focus on facilitating linkages and cooperation with Japanese universities, research centers, government institutions, and companies in various fields. He informed Dr. Ortega-Barría that last year, JAPOLAC coordinated a lecture on semiconductors for the students, professors, and researchers of Panama Technological University, delivered by a professor from the Faculty of Engineering of Chiba University.

Dr. Diaz conveyed JAPOLAC’s strong commitment to advancing linkages between SENACYT and Japanese academia, government, and private sectors to position Panama in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Dinner in Appreciation of the Ambassador of Panama

Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, and his wife, Mrs. Ayana Diaz Hatada, hosted a dinner in honor of His Excellency Carlos Pere, Ambassador of Panama to Japan, and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Heurtematte, in recognition of their friendship and support of the association’s activities.

During his tenure, Ambassador Pere supported various JAPOLAC initiatives aimed at strengthening academic cooperation between Panamanian and Japanese universities. Thanks to the support of the Embassy of Panama, a study trip was organized for specialists from the Panamanian Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (INMFRE) to the University of Health and Welfare in Niigata, as well as a practical course in diplomatic communication conducted by a specialist from the Embassy of Panama for students at Utsunomiya University.

Additionally, Ambassador Pere played an active role in the renewal of the academic agreement between the University of Panama and Chiba University, which will facilitate the expansion of academic exchanges in the field of medicine.
He was also actively involved in the establishment of an educational cooperation agreement between Chiba University, the National Secretariat of Science and Technology of Panama (SENACYT) and the Institute for the Training and Development of Human Resources (IFARHU), under which Chiba University will receive postgraduate students in the field of Horticulture.

Another significant achievement of Ambassador Pere was the approval by the Japanese government of visa exemption for Panamanian citizens, which will enable greater exchange of people between the two nations.

The dinner also counted on the distinguished presence of the heads of diplomatic missions from Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru and Bolivia.

In summary, this dinner reflects JAPOLAC’s profound gratitude towards Ambassador Pere and his wife for their contribution to strengthening the ties between Japan and the Republic of Panama.