JICA empowering future leaders in Sri Lanka to rebuild the nation

Young leaders can be the driving force behind the rebuilding of the nation, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, President of JICA said during a lecture titled, International Relations under Compound Crises: A Japanese Perspective.

He made this remark at the closing session of JICA Chair programme held at the University of Colombo on 16 February 2024.

It was pointed out that for Sri Lanka’s recovery and further growth in the future, in addition to structural reforms; balanced diplomacy in the international community would be an important issue.

The session provided an insight into how Japan has shaped and maintained its international relations in the current complex crisis-affected society, and how young leaders can be the driving force behind the rebuilding of the nation.

This was the second year of the JICA Chair Program at University of Colombo. 100 students received the certificates of completion of the program. The cumulative total number of students who completed the program in the past two years has now reached 245 students.

Dr. Akihiko Tanaka,
President of JICA
speaks at the closing
session of JICA Chair
programme held at
the University of
Colombo on 16
February 2024

This year, various lecturers with exceptional knowledge from Japan covered a broad range of topics with one goal in mind: to nurture the young generation who will be responsible for recovery from current economic crisis and future growth.

The new program was also included: the visit to the Colombo Dockyard, a leading shipbuilding company, which provided insight into Japanese-style company administration and human resource management and its huge role for the country’s economic development.

At the panel discussion, three students actively discussed what they have learned from JICA Chair Program which reviews the economic growth through agricultural development and modernization by introducing competition law and policy in Japan, etc. and how they can apply the Japanese development and modernization experience in Sri Lanka.

JICA will continuously strengthen human connectivity between Sri Lanka and Japan and empower the future leaders in Sri Lanka through JICA Chair Program.