Philippine Department of Education Capacity Building Training Opens at Kanazawa Gakuin University

Empowering Education Professionals from the Philippines

Kanazawa Gakuin University, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency Hokuriku Center (JICA Hokuriku), recently hosted the opening ceremony of the Philippine Department of Education Capacity Building Training. This significant event marked the beginning of a two-week training program, held from September 2nd to 13th, which brought together 10 esteemed trainees from the Philippines, comprising educational administrators and elementary and junior high school principals and teachers.

The training program is designed to foster educational excellence and promote cross-cultural understanding between Japan and the Philippines. The participants visited the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and other institutions, followed by training sessions at educational institutions in Ishikawa Prefecture, including Kanazawa Gakuin University.

Opening Ceremony Highlights

The opening ceremony, held on September 4th, was attended by distinguished guests, including JICA Hokuriku Representative Director Hiroyuki Tomita, President Minoru Akiyama, and Dean of the Faculty of Education Takashi Tada, who also serves as Director of the University’s International Exchange Center. President Akiyama delivered a heartfelt speech, emphasizing the importance of education and encouraging the participants to make the most of their learning experience in Japan.

Ms. Jennifer Lopez, speaking on behalf of the Filipino trainees, expressed her aspirations, stating, “We share the goal of nurturing the minds of the next generation in Japan, a country blessed with history, culture, and wisdom, and we would like to contribute together to a bright future for both our countries.”

Training Program Overview

The training program features lectures by professors from Kanazawa Gakuin University’s Faculty of Education, as well as various other planned activities, such as students accompanying the participants as supporters on holidays to experience Japanese culture. This year’s training marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the program has been conducted in Japan since 2023, following a two-year online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.