JAPOLAC organized an online meeting with professors from the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH) to facilitate a discussion on methodological and pedagogical aspects.

The primary goal of this meeting was to enhance the teaching and learning experience for the upcoming Short Online Program (SOP) intended for students at Chiba University in Spring 2024.

The SOP is designed to offer a diverse range of courses, including a General Overview of Chile, Insights into the Production of Copper, Lithium, and Iodine, an Examination of Chile’s Thriving Winery Industry, an Introduction to Chile’s Salmon Industry, and a Review of Chile’s Forestry Industry.

The meeting provided valuable insights into best practices to transmit knowledge in a bicultural context.

Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, held a meeting with Mr. Kiyoshi Kimura, Honorary Director of the Association. The purpose of the meeting was to report on the activities carried out in 2023 and those planned for 2024.

Dr. Diaz, in his role as JAPOLAC’s Representative Director, conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Kimura for his unwavering support of the Association’s initiatives aimed at raising awareness of Latin America and the Caribbean in Japan.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Ajoy Shinha Roy, serving as Senior Director, Mr. Hirokazu Yamaguchi, holding the position of Managing Director, and Ms. Chizuko Mitsuhashi, who serves as the Business Research Advisor at JAPOLAC.

JAPOLAC coordinated an online meeting between Chiba University (CU) and the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH). The primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss the schedule and content for a Short Online Program (SOP), which is to be delivered by USACH to CU students in Spring 2024.

This SOP is designed to encompass a variety of courses, such as a General Overview of Chile; Insights into the Production of Copper, Lithium, and Iodine; an Examination of Chile’s Thriving Winery Industry; an Introduction to Chile’s Salmon Industry, and a Review of Chile’s Forestry Industry.

JAPOLAC’s short online programs serve as a valuable conduit for imparting practical knowledge about Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC) to Japanese university students. The overarching aim is to inspire and encourage these students to consider visiting and pursuing further studies in the LAC region.

Among the core objectives of JAPOLAC is the active promotion of academic exchanges between Japanese universities and those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Simultaneously, the organization endeavors to expand the academic and research network between Japan and the LAC region.

From September 23 to October 1, 2023, Dr. Ritter Diaz, the Representative Director of JAPOLAC, took part as a guest lecturer at the renowned International Career Seminar (ICS) hosted by Utsunomiya University.

The core objective of the ICS is to equip students with a practical global perspective that is essential for the pursuit of international careers. The seminar places a strong emphasis on pivotal concepts such as “Globalization” and “Glocalization,” highlighting the ever-increasing relevance of global issues within local communities.

Dr. Diaz delivered a presentation titled “Advising Foreign Exporters into the Japanese Market” to an attentive audience composed of students from Utsunomiya University, the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS, Malaysia). This carefully crafted lecture aimed to provide students with practical insights, ensuring their preparedness for a successful journey in the realm of international business.

One notable feature of the ICS is its use of English as the primary medium of instruction, offering students a unique opportunity to engage in international discussions with foreign professors, lecturers, and peers. At the end of the seminar, the group of students under the guidance of Dr. Diaz, carried out a presentation of two products for introduction into the Japanese market, thus gaining firsthand practical experience in the dynamics of international business.

Dr. Ritter Diaz’s contribution to the ICS exemplifies the commitment of JAPOLAC to fostering international communication and equipping future professionals with the skills necessary to excel in the global arena. The collaboration between JAPOLAC and Utsunomiya University serves to support international education, offering students a good opportunity to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

On September 26th, the closing ceremony of the fifth short online program delivered by Panama Technological University to students of Chiba University took place, under the coordination of the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC).

During the closing ceremony Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director of JAPOLAC, extended his congratulations to the administration and professors of Panama Technological University, as well as to the students, professors, and staff at Chiba University for the successful completion of the program.

Dr. Diaz emphasized that digital education is no longer merely a response to temporary challenges accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic; it has evolved into a permanent dimension in education, both locally and internationally, enabling universities, professors, and students to conduct their academic activities in a more cost-efficient manner.

The closing ceremony also counted on the distinguished presence of His Excellency Carlos Pere, Ambassador of Panama to Japan; His Excellency Hideo Fukushima, Ambassador of Japan to Panama; Honorable Margelia Palacios, Deputy Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama; Dr. Hiroaki Ozawa, Vice-President for Education at Chiba University; and Mrs. Mabel Del Cid, Director of International Relations at Panama Technological University, representing Dr. Omar Aizpurua, President of the university.