Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University
From 17 August to 14 September 2025, eight Kobe University students participated in a short-term study program under Campus Asia, hosted by the National University of Laos (NUOL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos. Among the participants were five students from the Ogawa Seminar, Mr. Ciss Mamadou, Ms. Nadia Marilia de Abreu Bengo, Ms. Tong Liao, Mr. In Leavsovath, Ms. Malychanh Sorideth together with three students from other seminars, Mr. Yuki Hachiya, Ms. Su Yucheng, and Ms. Sayo Sugita. The program also welcomed students from Korean universities, adding further diversity to this exchange.
During the first week, we attended intensive courses organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business at NUOL. The lectures, many of which were delivered by professors with international academic experience and training in Japan, provided us with valuable insights into the Lao socio-economy development, household economics, and green finance. We also had the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Director of NUOL to discuss the objectives of our participation in the program. A key highlight of that week was also the Campus Asia Symposium, hosted at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), NUOL, which brought together leading experts and researchers from partner universities to share their work. The symposium was particularly fruitful, with Kobe University students, from exchange, master’s, and doctoral programs delivered presentation their research on stage.
In the following three weeks, we undertook internships with the Education Coordination Unit (ECU) under the Ministry of Education and Sports. We were warmly welcomed by the ministry and had the opportunity to engage with several of its departments, deepening our understanding of education policies and ongoing reforms. We also visited prominent international development organizations such as the World Bank, JICA, ADB, and UNICEF, gaining first-hand perspectives on their development work in Laos. Additionally, we visited two secondary schools, one primary school, and one elementary school, gaining valuable insights into the Lao education system, including curricula, school rules, and teaching practices. The ECU also organized cultural and educational field trips in Vientiane Capital and Vang Vieng, which further enriched our overall experience.
In conclusion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our academic supervisor, Professor Keiichi Ogawa, for his invaluable guidance, continuous support, and encouragement. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the professors at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), National University of Laos (NUOL), for their insightful lectures. Our special thanks go to Mr. Anoupheng Keovongsa, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning, Ministry of Education and Sports, for his kind support and arrangements, as well as to Mr. Vongvilay Sounthavong and Mrs. Souksady Ye for their kind assistance. Lastly, we wish to express our deep appreciation to Dr. Maisawa Tatsuya, Dr. Masato Nakahara, Dr. Ayumu Yagi, and Ms. Mikiko Bothra Osaka from the Campus Asia Office of Kobe University for their warm and continuous support throughout the program.
Authored by Leavsovath In (Master’s student)
