Global Network Program (GNP) Annual International Symposium was Held

On February 27, 2026, the Global Network Program (GNP) Annual International Symposium was held at the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University. The symposium was organized to mark the completion of the second year of the Global Network Program, which was launched in October 2024 as a project supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan.

The symposium was attended by a total of 90 participants (51 in person and 39 online), including Executive Vice President Dr. Hisashi Tamaki of Kobe University; faculty members and students from GSICS and the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies; and experts from partner overseas universities, international organizations, and government agencies.

During the symposium, Professor Keiichi Ogawa presented a progress report on the program. Comments were provided by Dr. Gita Steiner-Khamsi, Professor at Teacher’s College, Columbia University; H.E. Dr. Lim Sothea, Director General of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Cambodia; Dr. Mioko Saito, former Head of Training & Education Program, UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP); Dr. Mari Shoso, Senior Education Specialist, the World Bank; and Ms. Yoko Kobayashi, Chief of Child Protection, UNESCO Lao PDR Office.

Following the progress report, research presentations were delivered by doctoral students: Mr. Yudai Ishii, Ms. Tan Joy Ann Faith Francisco, and Mr. Kohei Uno. The discussants were Dr. Bernard Yungu Loleka, Education Economist at the World Bank; Dr. Karl Ian U. Cheng Chua, Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines; and Dr. Shiro Nakata, Senior Economist at the World Bank. The overall comments on the research presentations were delivered by Dr. Eduardo Miguel Velez Bustillo, former Director for the Education Sector at the World Bank.

At the conclusion of the symposium, a Certificate of Completion Ceremony was held. Marking the first completion of the program, Mr. Kohei Uno and Mr. Yudai Ishii at GSICS were awarded the GNP Certificate of Completion by Executive Vice President Dr. Hisashi Tamaki of Kobe University.