Mariana COOLICAN

Research Interests

Education Policy, International Education Development, Economics of Education, Partnerships

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Kobe University, Kobe, Japan (May 2019)
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education, Naruto University of Education, Naruto, Japan (March 2006)
Graduate Degree in Management in Education, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO), Rosario, Argentina (September 2002)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Teaching, Instituto Nacional de Enseñanza Superior (INES), San Nicolás, Argentina (INES), Argentina (August 1993)

Experience

Kobe University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe, Japan – Research Fellow (March 2024 – February 2025)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Aden, Yemen – Education Specialist Consultant (September 2023 – March 2024)
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) – Hamburg, Germany – Visiting Researcher (November 2023 – January 2024)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Pacific/Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands – Education Specialist Consultant (December 2022 – August 2023)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) – Panama, Panama – Partnerships Public Sector Officer (April 2020 – October 2022)
Kobe University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe, Japan – Research Fellow (May 2019 – April 2020)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Equatorial Guinea Country Office, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea – Social Policy Specialist (June 2014 – October 2018)
Kobe University Secondary School, Kobe, Japan – Advisory Member (November 2015 – October 2020)
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Myanmar- Chiang Mai University/Kobe University Joint venture, Yangon and Pakokku, Myanmar – Education Specialist Consultant (June to December 2013)
PADECO Co. and Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI), Tokyo, Japan/Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Education Specialist Consultant (October 2012 – March 2014)
Kobe University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe, Japan – Training Lecturer, Teaching Leader, Training Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Research Assistant (April 2009 – September 2012)
Kobe University, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, Kobe, Japan – Teaching Assistant Course: Spanish (Professor Kazushige Hirata) (October 2011 – March 2013)
Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS), IRE Program, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Marilia, Londrina and Curitiba, Brazil – Researcher (February to May 2011)
United Nations Centre for Regional Development, Disaster Management Planning Hyogo Office, Kobe, Japan – Volunteer/Researcher (February to December 2009)
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat, Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, Istanbul, Türkiye – Volunteer (April 2009)
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) 2009 Global Consultation, Istanbul, Türkiye – Delegate (UNCRD Hyogo Office) (March 2009)
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNOC) Secretariat, New York, United States – Intern/Researcher (June to September 2008)
United Nations Centre for Regional Development, Disaster Management Planning Hyogo Office, Kobe, Japan – Intern / Researcher (October 2007 – June 2008)
Yemen Ministry of Education, Curriculum Sector/ERDC, Sana’a, Yemen – Intern/Researcher (August 2007)
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) ReliefWeb, Kobe, Japan – Information Management Intern (February to July 2007)
Yemen Ministry of Education, Sana’a, and Taiz, Yemen – Intern (September 2006)
Naruto University of Education, Naruto, Japan – Master Student (April 2004 – April 2006)
Naruto University of Education, Naruto, Japan – MONBUKAGAKUSHO Recipient Scholar/Researcher (April 2003 – March 2004)
Okayama University, Okayama, Japan – MONBUKAGAKUSHO Recipient Scholar/Researcher (October 2002 – March 2003)
TECHINT Group, Ramallo, Argentina – Teacher of the Programme for Children with Special Needs. November 1993 – September 2002)
Argentine Ministry of Education, San Nicolás, Conesa and La Emilia, Argentina – Upper Secondary and Lower Secondary School Teacher (Social Sciences). Coordinator of Programmes: “Youth Parliament”, “A saltar la pared” (Environmental Education), and “School-Enterprise.” (August 1993 – September 2002)

Publications

Coolican, M.; Borras, J.C. & Strong, M. (2020). “Argentina and the COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Education and Technical Colleges in Buenos Aires Province”, Journal of Education for Teaching, 26(3), DOI:10.1080/02607476.2020.1802204, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
Uchudi, J., Magadi, M., & Coolican, M. (2017). Household Poverty and Child Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Working Paper Series. Bergen, Norway: Comparative Research on Poverty (CROP).
Coolican, M. (2013). “Chapter 2: Curriculum and Instruction”, In Education College Assessment Team (Eds.) The Study on the Comprehensive Assessment of Selected Education Colleges in Myanmar, Part 1: Training Capacity, Yangon, Myanmar: UNICEF Myanmar.
Coolican, M. (2012). “Global Curriculum Organizations”, In C. Lin, (eds.), International Education: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Issues and Systems, Section 11: Institutions of Education throughout the World, Serie 2, ISBN 978-0-7656-2049-1 New York: M.E. Sharpe
Coolican, M. (2007). “Comparing Lessons of Social Studies’ Yemeni Textbooks for Grades 7 to 9 of Basic Education.” In Keiichi Ogawa (ed.), Public Policy and Girls Education in Yemen: Field Study Report, Kobe: Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies Kobe University, 2(3):54-78.
Coolican, M. (2006). International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET). “The Argentinean National Identity through the Understanding of the Collective Memory in the Curriculum Contents of the Ethical and Citizenship Formation Axis in the Argentinean National Curriculum of the Social Sciences”, In International Yearbook on Teacher Education, United States: ICET.
Coolican, M. (2006b). “Lesson Plan Analysis for Forming Argentine National Identity at Secondary Schools: A Critique of Actual Teachers’ Practices in the Provinces of Cordoba and Buenos Aires.” In The Journal of Social Studies Education, ISSN 0913-7173, Naruto: Naruto Association for Social Studies, 21(3): 41-50.

Academic Associations

International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET)
- Regional Vice President Latin America and the Caribbean (Period 2020-2022, extended until 2024)
- Board of Directors, representing Africa (Period 2017-2020)
Japan Comparative Education Society (JCES)
Japanese Educational Research Association for the Social Studies (JERASS)
Japan Society for International Development (JASID)
Sociedad Argentina de Estudios Comparados en Educación (SAECE)
Sociedad Española de Estudios Comparados (SEEC)
Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)

Art Craft Associations:

Marugame Uchiwa Museum

Academic Conference Presentation

Presentations as Guest Speaker / Invited Lecturer

November 2023 to January 2024 – UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning (UIL), Hamburg, Germany – Visiting Researcher
October 2022 – Tokyo University, Course: General Liberal Arts, Lecture: Education in Latin American and the Caribbean, Tokyo, Japan – Guest Speaker
July 2021 – The University of Hawai’i, College of Education, Course: Capacity Building in Human Resources: Global Educational Specialists, Mānoa, Hawai’i – Guest Speaker
December 2020 – The 2nd Virtual Symposium: Comprehensive Evaluation of the Paraguay Rural Women’s Life Improvement Project”, JICA and Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan – Invited Discussant
November 2020 – The 14th International Education Development Forum (IEDF), International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan – Invited Discussant
July 2020 – George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Course: Education and the Economy from International Perspectives, Washington DC, United States – Guest Speaker
July 2020 – The University of Hawai’i, College of Education, Course: Capacity Building in Human Resources: Global Educational Partnerships, Mānoa, Hawai’i – Guest Speaker
June 2020 – Ritsumeikan University, College of International Relations, Course: International Cooperation, Kyoto, Japan – Guest Speaker
July 2017 – Kobe University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe, Japan – Invited Lecturer
July 2016 – Kobe University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe, Japan, Kobe, Japan – Invited Lecturer, Adviser for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Training on Education and Finance
July 2015 – Kobe University, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe, Japan, Kobe, Japan – Invited Lecturer for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): Training on Education and Finance

Presentations at Academic Conferences

The 60^th Annual Meeting of the Japan Comparative Education Society. Presentation: (Title Forthcoming), Nagoya University (Higashiyama Campus), Nagoya, Japan, 28-30 June 2024. Presenter
The 65th World Assembly of the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) 2024, Presentation: “Teachers as lifelong learners: a qualitative investigation in two Small Islands Development States”, University of Minho, Braga, Oporto, Portugal, June 13-15, 2024. Presenter
The International Council on Education for Teaching (www.icet4u.org) and The MESH Guides Network (www.meshguides.org) Teacher Experiences Series – Co-Researcher.
International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) and Mapping Educational Specialist Knowhow (MESH) International Symposium. Theme: Teacher Experience & Practice in the Time of COVID-19. (8 October. Repeated 15 October) Researcher/Facilitator
The International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) and Mapping Educational Specialist Knowhow (MESH) International Symposium. Theme: Teacher Experience & Practice in the Time of COVID-19. (8 October. Repeated 15 October) Researcher/Facilitator
International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) – Johannesburg, South Africa (8-11 July) Member of the Board of Directors /Chair of Sessions on Poverty and Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
International Education Development Forum (IEDF) 2018 – Kobe, Japan (16-17 November 2018) Presentation: “An Analysis of Family, School and Community Factors on Students’ Achievement in Pitagoras Secondary Network Schools in Japan and Brazil” – Presenter
Comparative Research Programme on Poverty (CROP) 2017 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (23-25 October) Conference: Putting Children First: Identifying solutions and taking action to tackle poverty and inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Presentation: “Child poverty and its impact on child wellbeing in Sub-Saharan Africa” – Presenter
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan (10 July) International Symposium on “Education Finance and Administration: Focused on Basic Education Quality, Internal Efficiency, and Equity”. Lecture: “Education and Social Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa” – Lecturer
International Council of Education for Teaching (ICET) World Assembly 2017 – Brno, Czech Republic (28-30 June) Conference: Re-thinking Teacher Professional Education Board of Directors (representing Africa)
The Cash Transfer Project – Dakar, Senegal (7-9 June) Got with the UNICEF Equatorial Guinea team the first prize on the poster session of the theme: “Enhanced Food Security in the Urban Environment through Improving Availability of Locally Produced Food” on cash transfer ‘Plus’. – Presenter
MAXQDA 2017 Qualitative Data Analysis Software – Berlin, Germany (8-9 March) – Participant
Comparative Research Programme on Poverty (CROP) 2016 – Abuja, Nigeria (23-25 May) Conference: “Child Poverty and Social Protection in Western and Central Africa”, ECOSOC. Presentation: “Child Poverty and Social Protection in Equatorial Guinea” – Presenter
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan, Development Management Policy Seminar on Child Poverty and Social Protection: Cases of Africa and Latin America, Graduate Schools of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS) Lecture: “Child Poverty and Social Protection: Cases in Africa and Latin America” – Lecturer
7th African Population Demographic Dividend: Prospects, Opportunities, and Challenges – Gauteng, South Africa – (30 November-4 December) – Participant
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan (7 July), Development Management Policy Seminar, Graduate Schools of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS) Lecture: “Social Protection and UNICEF in Equatorial Guinea” – Lecturer
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan (June) Training and Dialogue Program organized by Kansai International Centre of Japan International Cooperation Agency, “Education Administration and Finance: Focused on Quality and Equity of Basic Education” (Jun. 2013) – Student Lecturer
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan (December) Training and Dialogue Program organized by Kansai International Centre of Japan International Cooperation Agency, “Education Administration and Finance: Focused on Quality and Equity of Basic Education” (Dec. 2012) – Student Lecturer
Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) – San Juan, Puerto Rico (USA) (20-24 April) Presentation: Coolican, M. “Relationships between family characteristics and student achievement in Brazilian private chain schools from a comparative perspective.” Paper presented at the 56th Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), San Juan, Puerto Rico (USA), April 20-24, 2012. Presenter
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan (December) Training and Dialogue Program organized by Kansai International Centre of Japan International Cooperation Agency, “Education Administration and Finance: Focused on Quality and Equity of Basic Education” (Dec. 2011). Student Lecturer
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Kobe University – Kobe, Japan (December) Training and Dialogue Program organized by Kansai International Centre of Japan International Cooperation Agency, “Education Administration and Finance: Focused on Quality and Equity of Basic Education” (Dec. 2010). Student Lecturer
International Education Development Forum (IEDF) – Kobe, Japan (26-27 June) Presentation: Coolican, M. “Relationships between Family Characteristics and Students’ Achievement in Brazilian Private Chain-Schools in Japan.” Paper presented at the International Education Development Forum (IEDF), 7th Fall Joint Retreat Conference, Kobe University, Kobe, (Japan), June 26-27, 2010. Presenter
Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) – Chicago, USA (1-5 March) Presentation: Coolican, M. “The Teaching of Culture in Secondary Education Curriculum: A Case Study of Brazilian Chain-Schools in Japan.” Paper presented at the 54th Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Annual Meeting: “Reimagining Education”, Chicago University, Chicago (USA), March 1-5, 2010. Presenter
Japan Society for International Development (JASID), Beppu, Japan (21-22 November) Presentation: Coolican, M. Poster Session presented at the 20th Japan Society for International Development (JSID), Annual Conference, “Teaching and Learning Materials for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Education in the Case of Earthquakes”. Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu (Japan), November 21-22, 2009. Presenter
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Secretariat – Istanbul, Turkey (6-7 April) Second Alliance of Civilizations Forum – Graduate Student, Kobe University, Japan – Intern
Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergency (INEE) – Istanbul, Turkey (31 March-3 April) Delegate – Representing UNCRD Hyogo Office – in the 2009 Global Consultation Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergency (INEE) for the update of Handbook of the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises, and Early Reconstruction. Istanbul (Turkey), March 31–April 3, 2009. Presenter
Japan Comparative Education Society (JCES), Sendai, Japan (29 June) Presentation: Coolican, M. “An Investigation of Curriculum Alignment and Perceptions on Brazilian Heritage Students Cultural Education in Japan.” Paper presented at the 44th Annual Meeting of Japan Comparative Education Society (JCES), Tohoku University, Sendai (Japan). June 29, 2008. Presenter
Japan Society for International Development (JASID) – Tokyo, Japan (Spring) Presentation: Coolican, M. “Teacher Guidelines on Yemeni Basic Education Curricula.” Poster session presented at the 9th Spring Session of the Japan Society for International Development (JASID), Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT), Tokyo (Japan), 2008. Presenter
Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) – New York, USA (19 March) Presentation: Coolican, M. “Teacher Guidelines on Yemeni Basic Education Curricula.” Paper presented at the 52nd Annual Meetings of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), Conference Theme: “Gaining Educational Equity around the World”, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York (USA). March 19, 2008. Presenter
International Education Development Forum (IEDF), Kobe, Japan (26-27 January) Coolican, M. “An Investigation of Multicultural Education for Brazilian-Heritage Children in Japan: Perceptions, Curriculum, and Practices of Teachers and Students Grades 8-9.” Paper presented at the 1st International Education Development Forum, Kobe University, Kobe (Japan), January 26-27, 2008. Presenter
Japan Society for International Development (JASID) – Naha, Japan (23-24 November) Coolican, M. “Cultural Identity and Multicultural Understanding: The Case of Basic Education School Practices in the City of Hamamatsu, Japan.” Paper presented at the Japan Society for International 9 Development (JASID), 8th Fall Conference, Okinawa University, Naha, Okinawa (Japan), November 23-24, 2007. Presenter
International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) – San Diego, USA (16-19 July) Coolican, M. “Lesson Plan on Education in Complex Emergencies: Case Studies for Understanding the IDP’s and Refugees Conditions in Peace Building Processes.” Paper presented at the ICET 52nd World Assembly 7th Annual Border Pedagogy Conference, University of San Diego, California (USA), July 16-19, 2007. Presenter
Japan Comparative Education Society (JCES) – Tsukuba, Japan (28-29 June) Coolican, M. “Civic Education Issues in Yemeni Basic Education Curricula.” Paper presented at the 43^rd Conference of the Japan Comparative Education Society (JCES), University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Education, Tsukuba (Japan), June 29-30, 2007. Presenter
Japan Society for International Development (JASID) – Tochigi, Japan (9 June) Coolican, M. “An Introduction of Yemeni Textbooks Analysis in Social Studies Subjects at Grades 7 – 9 of Basic Education.” Poster Session presented at the Japan Society for International Development (JASID), 8th Spring Conference, University of Toyo, Tochigi, Gunma (Japan), June 9, 2007. Presenter
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore, Singapore (28 30 May) – Coolican, M. “Analysis of the Formation of Identity in the Progeny of Latin American Immigrants in Japan: Case of Secondary School Students in the City of Hamamatsu for the Improvement of the Multicultural Understanding.” Paper presented at the Conference: Redesigning Pedagogy: Culture, Knowledge, and Understanding. Strand: Anthropology and Cultural Studies. National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore (Singapore), May 28-30, 2007. Presenter
International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) – Fortaleza, Brazil Coolican, M. “The National Identity through the Understanding of the Collective Memory in the Contents of Ethical and Citizenship Formation Axis in the Argentinian National Curriculum of Social Sciences.” Paper presented at International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) 51st World Assembly, Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza (Brazil), July 17-20, 2006. Presenter
Hiroshima Association on Social Studies Education (HASSE) – Hiroshima, Japan (29 October) Coolican, M. “The National Identity Education by Social Subjects in Argentina’s Secondary School.” Paper presented at the Congress on Social Studies Education. Hiroshima Association on Social Studies Education, Hiroshima University. Hiroshima (Japan), October 29, 2005. Presenter
AICHI World Exposition – Nagoya, Japan (8-9 September) Coolican, M. “Garbage Problem: A Comparative Analysis between Japan and Argentina.” Paper presented at the 2005 AICHI World Exposition, Nagoya, Japan. Theme: Nature and Wisdom Argentine Pavilion, September 8-9, 2005. Presenter
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Academy – Kamikatsu, Japan (1 September) Coolican, M. “Garbage Problem in Japan and Argentina.” Paper presented at the Environmental Education Summer-Camp, Kamikatsu Zero Waste Academy: Kamikatsu, Tokushima (Japan), September 1, 2005. Presenter
Naruto Association on Social Studies Education (NASSE) – Naruto, Japan (31 July) Coolican, M. “The Argentinian Identity through the Memory: An ‘Ethical and Citizen Formation’ Transversal Class for Year 9 of General Basic Education.” Paper presented at the Congress on Social Studies Education. Naruto Association on Social Studies Education. The Naruto University of Education. Naruto, Tokushima (Japan), July 31, 2005. Presenter
Ministry of Education, Argentina – Villa Gessel, Argentina (23 November) Coolican, M. “Garbage Management.” Paper presented at the Provincial Plan: Adolescence, Education, Social Integration. Ministerio de Educación de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Dirección General de Cultura y Educación: Villa Gesell, Buenos Aires (Argentina), November 23, 2001. Presenter
Fundación Poder Ciudadano – San Nicolás, Argentina (15 July) Coolican, M. “System of Pre-Classification and Reutilization of Solid Urban Rubbish.” Paper presented at the Fundación Poder Ciudadano. Program: Classroom without Frontiers. San Nicolás, Buenos Aires (Argentina), July 15, 1999. Presenter

Awards

Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS), Institutional Program for Young Researcher Overseas Visit (IRE, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Londrina, and Curitiba; Brazil – Grant Recipient
Japan Students Service Organization (JASSO), Kobe, Japan – Scholarship Recipient April 2007 March 2010 Fall 2007 and Fall 2011 Oct. 2002 – March 2004 April 2000 March 2001 January 1995 – December 1996
Kobe University Scholarship, Kobe, Japan – Scholarship Recipient
Japan Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Technology (MEXT), Okayama and Naruto, Japan – Scholarship Recipient
Argentine Ministry of Education – Project: Youth Parliament, La Plata, Argentina – Coordinator Planning, coordination of the Ante-Project of Law of recycling domestic garbage at local and regional levels (San Nicolas city and Buenos Aires province)
Argentine Ministry of Education – Project: To Jump the Wall, San Nicolas, Argentina – Coordinator Planning, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating environmental programs at local and regional levels (Buenos Aires Province).

Language/Skills

Spanish (native proficiency), English (full professional proficiency), French (professional working proficiency), Portuguese (professional working proficiency), Japanese (professional working proficiency), Turkish (basic knowledge), and German (basic knowledge).
SPSS, STATA, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Power Bi, MS Office, MAXQDA12, ATLAS.ti, N-Vivo, VISION. Communication tools (MS Teams, MS Stream, Skype, Zoom, Google Chat); Videos (Wondershare Filnmora11, Vegas Pro); Visual Design Tools (Prezi, Visme, Padlet, Socrative, Canva, Creatopy, Google Forms, MailChimp).

Message to Potential Candidates to Ogawa Seminar

Studying under the guidance of Professor Ogawa is a valuable opportunity to learn and enhance your capabilities, skills, and networking abilities. The Ogawa Seminar provides numerous opportunities for internships, study fields, and research collaborations worldwide. By making the most out of these opportunities, you will be able to grow and develop professionally and become an expert in the field of education.