Birzeit University, JICA lay foundation for future partnership through upcoming lecture

Prospective academic lectures on Japanese studies at Birzeit University were discussed during a meeting between Abe Toshiya, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Office in Palestine, and Dr. Beshara Doumani, Birzeit University President, on June 26, 2022.

The chair will enable students to study different academic fields that explore Japan’s modernization and development in light of its historical and cultural background.

Attending the meeting were the university’s Vice President for Advancement Ghassan Khatib, director of the External Academic Relations Office Amir Khalil, JICA’s Project Formulation Advisor Eina Ueno and its training officer Hana Barahmeh.

Discussions focused on discussing possible opportunities to support academia at Birzeit University. At the beginning of the academic year 2022–23, JICA agreed to host a visiting professor from Japan to give a lecture at Birzeit University on Japanese socioeconomic development.

Doumani emphasized the importance of global partnerships based on shared values. “There are many opportunities to explore between both institutions and we are keen to move this partnership forward,” he added.

Toshiya assured that the JICA wishes to offer exciting opportunities for academic collaboration. “The JICA is looking into building a solid collaboration with Birzeit University,” Toshiya added.

According to Toshiya, the lecture will be the cornerstone that builds a solid partnership with the JICA through the academic chair.

In 2018, Birzeit University, the JICA and the Japanese representative to Palestine assisted in bolstering the information and communication technology sector in Palestine by supporting business development at the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park and organizing training courses for students.