24 Japanese University Students Complete UTech, Ja/JAPOLAC Short Online Programme for Internationalization and Cultural Exchange
A screenshot of participants during the online Closing Ceremony on September 28, 2023 (Jamaica)/September 29, 2023 (Japan) for the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) Short Online Programme for Internationalization and Cultural Exchange delivered in partnership with University of Technology, Jamaica.
Twenty- four undergraduate students of the Chiba University, Japan and six undergraduate students from the University of Technology, Jamaica were able to gain valuable academic and cultural insights through a Short Online Programme (SOP) which was facilitated through implementation of the Inter-University Coordination Agreements for University Internationalization signed between UTech, Jamaica and the Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC). The students drawn from Chiba University’s Faculty of Horticulture, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Law, Political Science and Economics, and Faculty of Engineering, and UTech, Jamaica’s Faculty of Science and Sport who completed the Short Online Programme, were specially recognized and presented with their certificates at an online closing ceremony on September 28, 2023 (Jamaica)/September 29, 2023 (Japan) following the end of the three-week programme.
The intercultural SOP introduced participating students to Jamaica, looking at Energy, Ecology and Climate Change and also provided intercultural exchange opportunities through communication between Japanese and Jamaican students in learning about Jamaican artforms including music and dance.
The Japan Association for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (JAPOLAC) has among its priorities the promotion of international education between Japan and the region of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), considering the high standards of the Japanese education system. JAPOLAC facilitates the development and delivery of Short Online Programmes (SOPs) for study abroad in intercultural education and cultural exchange. The SOPs also serve as a promotional tool of the LAC country- Jamaica, encouraging Japanese students and faculty to travel and further expand their interaction with the understanding of Jamaica.
University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) continues to expand its internalization through several initiatives, including provision of international education and exchange experiences for its students, faculty, and administrators. UTech, Jamaica is collaborating with JAPOLAC for university internationalization involving Japanese universities and other education institutions, to provide synchronous online delivery in English of intercultural Short Online Programmes (SOP) for study abroad, intercultural education and cultural exchange, under this agreement with JAPOLAC. This is the second such partnership between UTech, Jamaica and JAPOLAC for the delivery of the SOP to Chiba University, Japan.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, UTech, Jamaica addressing participants at the Closing Ceremony of the Short Online Programme on September 28, 2023 (Jamaica)/September 29, 2023 (Japan) for the JAPOLAC SOP for Internationalization and Cultural Exchange delivered in partnership with University of Technology, Jamaica.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President, University of Technology, Jamaica, in extending congratulations to the newest cohort of students, noted that, “the programme is advancing the objective of academic and cultural exchange between our two universities and by extension our two countries,” adding that “UTech looks forward to continuing partnership with JAPOLAC for the delivery of more programmes of a similar nature.”
Dr. Brown also shared that the Japanese language is taught as an elective at UTech, Jamaica through the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, as part of the thrust to develop students to be global leaders and to extend reach beyond Jamaica. He thanked Professor Kamilah Hylton, Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport, Dr. Claire Sutherland, Senior Director, International and Institutional Linkages and all members of the cross-faculty academic and administrative teams from UTech, Ja. and Chiba University for ensuring the success of the short intercultural programme, highlighting that, “this programme is well-placed and has further strengthened our ties of friendship and cooperation.”
Pictured are Dr. Ritter Diaz (left), Representative Director, JAPOLAC and Professor Hiroaki Ozawa (right), Executive Vice President for Education, Chiba University.
Dr. Ritter Diaz, Representative Director, JAPOLAC reaffirmed the full commitment of the organization to supporting academic exchanges between Japan and Jamaica. In extending thanks to the staff of UTech, Ja. and Chiba University, he shared that, “we have successfully continued to foster international education and provide practical knowledge to students. This collaborative effort between both universities is crucial in offering value added education to students through the use of digital tools.”
Professor Hiroaki Ozawa, Executive Vice President for Education, Chiba University emphasized that, “this program is an essential event in the academic exchange and collaboration between Chiba University and the University of Technology, Jamaica.” He shared that he hopes that this academic exchange between Jamaica and Japan will develop into a an even larger economic and cultural exchange.
His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, (left) Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, and Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards, (right) Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan share with the online audience at the Closing Ceremony of the Internationalization Short Online Programme on September 28, 2023 (Jamaica)/September 29, 2023 (Japan) for the JAPOLAC SOP for Internationalization and Cultural Exchange delivered in partnership with University of Technology, Jamaica.
While endorsing the short online programme, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, and Her Excellency Shorna Kay Richards, Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan both congratulated the participating students and staff on successfully completing the short online programme with the University of Technology, Jamaica, Chiba University and JAPOLAC for their collaboration.
Her Excellency Shorna Kay Richards shared that, “I'm heartened to see that this pioneering partnership between UTech, Jamaica and Chiba University forged only a year ago, continues to grow and it is clear that the strong interest displayed by the leadership of both institutions is supporting this positive development.” In his remarks, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi noted that, “I believe that these topics are some of the most critical areas to understand Jamaica and are also common challenges all over the world today.”
Dr. Nikki Bramwell (left), Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Sport, UTech, Ja. and Miss Nanako Shimada, student, Chiba University on screen at the Closing Ceremony of the Internationalization Short Online Programme on September 28, 2023 (Jamaica)/September 29, 2023 (Japan) for the JAPOLAC SOP for Internationalization and Cultural Exchange delivered in partnership with University of Technology, Jamaica.
Dr. Nikki Bramwell, Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Sport, UTech Ja, sharing on the delivery of the SOP noted that students were introduced to Jamaica’s biodiversity hotspot and energy story, and commended them for stepping out of their comfort zones. She added that “it was a treat reading your journals and seeing your perspectives based on what was delivered in the course and how you learnt from it. It was encouraging to me as an educator to see how far-reaching the delivery was and how much it meant to you.”
Miss Nanako Shimada, student, Chiba University, responding on behalf of fellow participants, shared that, “this programme changed the image of Jamaica I had. Before, I only knew Jamaica as a tourist spot.” She shared that she learnt about Jamaica’s Energy sector and that, “Jamaican people make great efforts to thrive with nature.” Miss Shimada noted that the classes encouraged her belief that, the Earth can be saved from global warming, “with our national cooperation.” She excitedly shared that her experience in the course has made her eager to visit Jamaica.
A Jamaican Folk dance titled ‘Jamaica Labrish’ performed by students in the Centre for the Arts, University of Technology, Jamaica provided cultural entertainment during the Virtual Closing Ceremony.
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Contact: Michelle A. Beckford
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 970-5299/ (876) 818-5893
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm