On December 4, 12, our university and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a joint symposium titled “Human Resources Development for Promoting the Blue Economy” in Bangkok, Thailand.

　At this joint symposium, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, which has continued to produce leading human resources in the ocean field as the only marine university in Japan, and JICA, which is leading international cooperation projects such as fisheries and marine conservation, are interested in the blue economy. The purpose of the event was to introduce the various human resource development programs implemented by both institutions to a wide range of people, including researchers and students with advanced knowledge.
　This was the first symposium held outside of Japan in about three years for our university, but in order to actively invite participation from countries/regions other than Thailand, we held it in a hybrid format that combined online participation with on-site participation. , More than 3 people from Thailand and abroad participated in both venue and online participation.At the beginning, President Toshio Iseki and JICA Thailand Office Director Kazuya Suzuki, who participated online this time, gave opening remarks, followed by introductions of human resource development policies and various initiatives to embody those policies from both institutions. After that, a panel discussion was held by four panelists (Professor Ikuo Hirono, Professor Motohiko Sano, Kyushu University Professor Atsuhiko Isobe, and Professor HUH Cheol, Korea Ocean University).After introducing the human resource development projects that each panelist is promoting, the panelists will discuss the efforts and challenges required to promote the blue economy, while also considering the economic and environmental impacts of the COVID-130 crisis on the world. We actively exchanged opinions on how to solve the problem.

　Lastly, Masashi Maita, Executive Vice President (Education and International Affairs), spoke about the importance of a place for exchange and information dissemination that takes advantage of the strengths of both local and online events, and expressed his desire to continue holding the event in the future. The curtain closed on a high note.
　The symposium was held with the great cooperation of the governments of both countries, the Fisheries Department of the Thai Government and the Embassy of Japan in Thailand. .In the future, we will continue to provide ingenious information dissemination and exchange venues in Japan and overseas so that more people will be interested.

　

Opening remarks by President Iseki

Mr. Suzuki, Director of JICA Thailand Office

Group photo of the speakers

State of the venue