I encourage my doctoral students to write their dissertations in English because this would enable them to reach a wider audience in academia. If students were to choose me as their academic adviser at Kobe University, they will be able to pursue studies leading to a Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Economics. Since September 2007, 42 students have completed their doctoral studies under my main supervision. Fifteen of them are now working in academic/research institutions (e.g., Hiroshima University, Tohoku University, Waseda University, Makerere University, and Vietnam National University); seven are employed by an international organization (World Bank); two is working in government organizations, and one is with non-governmental organization.

Abdoul-Karim Soubeiga Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2026
Current Position Grant Management Consultant, Safe Online
Dissertation Topic An Analysis of Family, School, and Community Factors Influencing Primary School Attendance and Academic Achievement in Burkina Faso: Focusing on Internally Displaced Persons’s Host Communities
Yousuf Daas Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2026
Current Position Economist,  Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS)
Dissertation Topic Exploring the Effect of Sibship Size on Primary and Lower Secondary School Children’s Foundational Learning Skills and Mental Health in Palestine
Masaya Noguchi Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2026
Current Position Junior Professional Officer, UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)
Dissertation Topic Analysis of the Determinants, Trajectories, and Consequences of Child Labour and Schooling in Vietnam
Yudai Ishii Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2026
Current Position Project Assistant Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic The Influence of Women’s Intrahousehold Decision-Making on Household Expenditure for Primary Education in Malawi
Kohei Uno Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2026
Current Position Education Consultant, PADECO / Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic Heterogeneous Effects of Pre-primary Education on Early Literacy, Numeracy, Social-emotional, and Physical Development in Bangladesh: Across Family and Child Backgrounds
Danilo Dalmon Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2025
Current Position Consultant, World Bank / Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic An Analysis of the Influence of Municipal Governments’ Practices on Primary Education Learning Achievement in Brazil
Ryuto Minami Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2025
Current Position JSPS Post-Doctoral (PD) Fellow, University of Tokyo
Dissertation Topic Exploring the Effects of Armed Conflict on Children’s Primary School Attendance and Dropout in Nigeria
Ayumu Yagi Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2025
Current Position Project Assistant Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic The Effects of Pre-primary School Attendance on Child Development Outcomes in Kenya: Focusing on Persistency and Heterogeneity
Rie Fujii Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2025
Current Position Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University / Adjunct Lecturer, St. Andrew’s University
Dissertation Topic Perception of Youths, Parents, and Teachers toward Youth Sexual Activity and Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in an Urban Slum in the Philippines: A Case Study in Tondo, Manila
Mami Tokuoka Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2025
Current Position Project Assistant Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic Family Involvement in Higher Education Choice Process in Cambodia
Linghui (Jude) Zhu Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2023
Current Position Senior Economist, Central Bank of China
Dissertation Topic The Implications of Demographic Structural Changes for Technological Advancements in the Post-Demographic Transition China: Dual Indirect Channels Through Saving and Human Capital
Xiaodong Meng Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in July 2023
Current Position Research Fellow, Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education, Hiroshima University
Dissertation Topic Analysis of Children’s School Readiness through Early Childhood Education in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Loleka Yungu Bernard Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2023
Current Position Educational Economist, World Bank (Congo-Brazzaville)
Dissertation Topic The Influence of Matrilineal Family Lineage Descent System on Intrahousehold Decision-Making Power and Intergenerational Education Persistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Seil Kim Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2023
Current Position Statistician, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) / World Bank
Dissertation Topic An Analysis of the Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and the Transition to High School in the Republic of Korea from a Social Cognitive Career Theory
Nelson Fernando Manhisse Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2022
Current Position Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University / Education Consultant, World Bank
Dissertation Topic Smallholder Household Characteristics and Offspring’s Primary Education in Mozambique
Kexin Wang Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2022
Current Position Assistant Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic Home Learning Environment for Early Childhood Development Outcomes in Bangladesh
Li Shumin Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2021
Current Position Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic Examining the Effects of Maternal Employment on Children’s Literacy and Non-cognitive Development Outcomes in Uganda
Jean-Baptiste M.B. Sanfo Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2020
Current Position Associate Professor, Institute for Promotion of General Education, The University of Shiga Prefecture
Dissertation Topic Examining Effect of Family, School and Community Factors on Primary School Students’ Attendance and Learning Achievements in Burkina Faso: Focused on Gold Mining Areas
Md. Jahangir Alam Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2020
Current Position Chairman and Associate Professor, Department of Japanese Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka
Dissertation Topic Parental Social-Economic Aspirations for Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Bangladesh
Sengsouliya Chanthanakhone Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2020
Current Position Deputy Director of Scientific Research and Academic Services, Champasak University
Dissertation Topic An Analysis on Quality and Relevance of Technical Vocational Colleges (TVC) in Lao PDR
Zahar Angga Setiawan Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in January 2020
Current Position Head of Business Process Subdivision, Financial Education and Training Agency, Ministry of Finance, Indonesia
Dissertation Topic The Role of Demand-Side Financing Intervention in Formulating Human Capital in Indonesia
Najung Kim Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in November 2019
Current Position Research Professor, Korea University
Dissertation Topic The Effects of Early Childhood Education and Care Quality on Child Outcomes in the Republic of Korea: Within the Context of Employer-Supported Childcare Centers
Mariana Coolican Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in May 2019
Current Position Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University / Education Consultant, UNICEF and UNESCO
Dissertation Topic An Analysis of Family School and Community Factors on Students’ Achievement in Pitagoras Secondary Network Schools in Japan and Brazil
Sokpanya Phon Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2019
Current Position Diputy Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cambodia
Dissertation Topic Effects of Migration and Remittances on Educational Attainment and Working Hours of Children in Cambodia.
Huyen T.T. Nguyen Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2019
Current Position Educational Consultant, UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Dissertation Topic Family Involvement in Early Childhood Education in Viet Nam: Different Stakeholders’ Perspectives and Current Practices
Seonkyung Choi Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2019
Current Position Assistant Professor, Global Career Design Center, Hiroshima University
Dissertation Topic School Choice and Labor Market Outcomes in the Republic of Korea: Focusing on Vocational Education Path
Phal Chea Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2018
Current Position Director and Senior Research Fellow, Cambodia Development Resource Institute
Dissertation Topic Equitable Access to Higher Education in Cambodia: Effects of Financial Aid for Low-Income Students
Truong Thu Ha Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2018
Current Position Lecturer, Department of Development Economics, Vietnam National University at Hanoi
Dissertation Topic Analysis of Higher Education Expansion on Employment and Wages in Vietnam
Jeje Moses Okurut Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2017
Current Position Consultant, World Bank Headquarters
Dissertation Topic Effect of Automatic Promotion on Students’ Dropout Rate and Learning Achievements in Uganda’s Primary Education
Keiko Inoue Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2016
Current Position Foreign Operation Specialist, Peace Winds Japan
Dissertation Topic An Analysis of Resilience of the Extended Family on Educational Opportunities for Orphans in Zimbabwe: Case of the Harare Rural District
Katsuki Sakaue Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2016
Current Position Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Dissertation Topic Informal User Fees and School Choice under Free Education Policy in Rural Uganda
Kentaro Shimada Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2016
Current Position Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Soka University
Dissertation Topic Intergenerational Persistence in Education and Rate of Return to Education in Kenya
Akemi Ashida Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2014
Current Position Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University
Dissertation Topic Analysis on Primary Students’ Enrolment in Honduras since Late 1980s: Focused on Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Shiro Nakata Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2014
Current Position Senior Economist, World Bank Headquarters
Dissertation Topic Equitable Access to Higher Education in Vietnam: Effects of Government’s Financial Support for Low Income Students
Chang Jia-Chung Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2014
Current Position Professor in China
Dissertation Topic Deregulation and Decentralization of Higher Education in Taiwan since 1994: Political Intervention on Policy Implementation
James Wokadala Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2013
Current Position Dean and Senior Lecturer, College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University
Dissertation Topic Examining Technical Efficiency and Management Effectiveness in Lower Secondary Schools in Uganda
Albert Byamugusha Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2012
Current Position Senior Adviser to Prime Minister in Uganda (Former Commissioner in the Prime Minister’s Office) / Associate Professor
Dissertation Topic Examining the Effects of Home, School and Community Factors on Pupils’ Achievement in Ugandan Primary Schools
Nobuyuki Tanaka Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2012
Current Position Economist, World Bank Headquarters
Dissertation Topic Equitable Access to Higher Education in Egypt: Effects of Household-Financed Education
Yoshiko Tonegawa Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2011
Current Position Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, Waseda University
Dissertation Topic Analysis of the Relationships between Local Development NGOs and the Communities in Ethiopia: The Case of the Basic Education Sub-Sector
Shinsaku Nomura Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in March 2010
Current Position Senior Economist, World Bank Headquarters
Dissertation Topic Determinants of Educational Demands in Yemen: Benefits, Costs and Household Decisions
Mari Shojo Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2009
Current Position Senior Education Specialist, World Bank Headquarters
Dissertation Topic Free Primary Education Policy, Decentralization and Parental Participation: The Case of Malawi
Aiko Sakurai Obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in September 2007
Current Position Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University / Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University
Dissertation Topic Application of the Whole School Development Approach on Rural Basic Education Schools in Yemen: Strengthening Partnerships among Schools, Communities and Local Education Offices