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, 32 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.
| 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, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe 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 | Analysis of Children’s School Readiness through Early Childhood Education in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
| 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 (GSICS), Kobe University |
| 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 |
Research Fellow, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University / Consultant, the World Bank |
| 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 (GSICS), 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 | Lecturer, 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 | 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, Center for the Study of International Cooperation in Education (CICE), 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, 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, Toyo Eiwa University & 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 |
