Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University
From August 24 to September 11, 2026, I participated in a three-week internship at the Ministry of Education and Sports in Lao PDR, under the supervision of Deputy Director General Mr. Anoupheng Keovongsa. This internship was part of the 2026 CAMPUS Asia Plus Short-Term Study Program at the National University of Laos (NUOL). Five students from Professor Ogawa Seminar, namely Guo Runjing, Shi Lantao, Ding Ke, Riko Ishikawa, and Chihiro Taketomi, participated in this internship.
During the internship, I met with officials from various departments at the Ministry of Education and Sports, international organizations, and development partners, and visited public schools. Through these experiences, I investigated education policies, administrative structures, and the realities of school implementation in Lao PDR.
First, several meetings with government officials and organization staff members were arranged based on our research interests. I had opportunities to meet officials from several departments of the Ministry of Education and Sports, including the Department of Planning and Finance, the Department of Teacher Development and Administration, the Department of General Education, the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES), and the Statistics Center. These discussions provided valuable insights into each department’s responsibilities and the current challenges in Lao PDR. I also interviewed staff members from different international organizations and development partners, including the World Bank, ADB, UNICEF, and JICA. These interviews deepened my understanding of each organization’s role and contribution to educational development in Lao PDR.
Second, I visited a primary school and a secondary school in Vientiane and interviewed school principals and teachers. I learned about daily educational activities and school management while observing classrooms and school facilities. It was particularly valuable to understand how education policies are implemented at the school level. Furthermore, conducting research in collaboration with local representatives helped me strengthen the communication skills necessary for the international field.
Through this internship, I gained significant insights into educational administration and international cooperation. In particular, interacting with stakeholders from government, international organizations, and schools taught me the importance of examining educational challenges from multiple viewpoints. In addition, I deepened my understanding of research methodologies and developed flexibility for local contexts by experiencing the research process, from planning and conducting interviews to organizing information. This internship was a highly valuable experience that not only taught me about the practice of international cooperation and the realities of educational settings but also provided insights into my future research and career development.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Deputy Director General Mr. Anoupheng Keovongsa and all the staff members of the Ministry of Education and Sports for their generous support and guidance throughout my internship. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the representatives of international organizations and development partners, as well as school personnel who kindly participated in school visits and interviews. Furthermore, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Assistant Professor Tatsuya Maisawa, Project Assistant Professor Ayumu Yagi, and Ms. Mikiko Bothra Osaka of Kobe University’s CAMPUS Asia Office for making this valuable opportunity possible and for their generous support throughout the program. Last but not least, I am deeply appreciative of Professor Keiichi Ogawa for his continued guidance and support, and for providing this valuable opportunity. I will apply the knowledge and experience gained through this internship to my future research.
Authored by Riko Ishikawa (Master’s student)
