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Preparatory Survey of the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship to the Lao People’S Democratic Republic

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Preparatory Survey of the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship to the Lao People’S Democratic Republic Lao People’s Democratic Republic Ministry of Education and Sports PREPARATORY SURVEY OF THE PROJECT FOR HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP TO THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC FINAL REPORT May 2016 Japan International Cooperation Agency（JICA） Japan International Cooperation Center（JICE） GL JR 16-017 Summary 1. Summary of the Preparatory Survey Background of the Survey The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as “JDS”) was first launched in Uzbekistan and Laos in fiscal 1999 as part of the “100,000 International Students Plan” of the Japanese government, with the aim of developing human resources who can play core roles in the formulation and implementation of social and economic development policies in developing countries. The project has later been introduced to other countries as well, and the number of target countries has reached 14 by fiscal 2015. Since the FY 2009, the project was gradually switched to the "new system" in one country after another. In the new system, an intake framework in four batches is planned, based on the aid policies of the Japanese government and the development issues and the human resources development needs of the target countries. Subsequently, in the basic research project "Factor Analysis concerning the Result of the JDS Projects" (referred to below as the JDS basic research) conducted by JICA in FY 2014, the results and factors of the JDS project in the 11 target countries were compared and analyzed, and future project enforcement policies and strategies were demonstrated. The basic research report indicated that over past 15 years the JDS project has contributed significantly to the improvement of the abilities of administration officials and organizations in the target countries to solve development issues, to the reinforcement of bilateral relationships between Japan and the target countries, and to the promotion of the internationalization of the accepting universities in Japan. The report gave the following four issues to be dealt with: (1) drawing up the basic enforcement policy; (2) selection of participants who add value, to intake in key persons; (3) follow-up for reinforcement of bilateral relationships; (4) development of pro-Japanese human resources and the establishment of networks between such people. The following measures were suggested in order to deal with these issues: increasing the PhD program quota and establishing a special recommendation quota; the development of original Japanese programs; promotion of cooperation with Japanese industry and the involvement of ministries and agencies; and the strengthening of cooperation with local projects and of the relationships between Japanese universities and local related organizations. Under such circumstances, this Preparatory Survey was decided to be conducted with the aim of verifying the appropriateness of implementation of the project and properly reflecting the Basic Policy of Japan’s Assistance to Laos, relevant JICA programs, etc. in the formulation of the project based upon the needs of the government of Laos. Objectives of the Survey The main objectives of the survey are as follows: To discuss on the framework of the JDS Project (starting from Japanese fiscal year 2016 to 2019) with the government of Laos To confirm the outcomes of the project in the past and consider new approaches that would maximize the outcomes of the project. Method of the Survey As part of the Preparatory Survey, the survey in Laos was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016. January 2016: Confirmation of the principle/ policy for the survey (1) To set Sub-Programs and Components in accordance with economic cooperation policy for Laos by the Japanese government and development needs of Laos i (2) To select and determine the Accepting Universities of Japan which would provide the educational programs corresponding to each Sub-Program/Component (3) To select Target Organizations corresponding to each Sub-Program/Component (4) To confirm the implementation system of the project February 2016: Estimation of the project scale March 2016: Formulation of the drafts of Basic Plans for each Sub-Program Results of the Survey As a result of the discussion with Lao side Operating Committee members, Sub-Program, Component, and accepting universities are agreed as follows. Based on this framework, the Survey team explained Basic Plan and gained a general understanding from the members. Also, outcomes of the project, which could be seen in the critical mass so far formed, were confirmed through refreshing the reinstatement situation of JDS Returned Fellows. Besides, to introduce an English training that would heighten JDS fellow’s readiness before coming to Japan and to launch PhD program in order to produce higher level of human resources, were considered. These ideas were welcomed from Lao side with great expectation and survey team also confirmed the needs of each Target Organization. In regard to cost burden of English training and selection process including qualification for PhD program are continuously to be discussed at Operating Committee meeting. Framework of JDS Project in Laos (2017-2020) Sub-program Component Accepting University Slot International GS of International University of 3 1-1 Enhancement of Relations 1.Improving Public Administration Japan Administrative and Improvement of Ability and Legal System GS of International Kobe University 2 Institution Building Cooperation Studies 1-2 Enhancement of Yamaguchi GS of Economics 2 Public Finance University GS of 2-1 Improvement of Hiroshima Engineering/Internation 3 2. Building a Strong Economic Infrastructure University al Cooperation Base for Sustained 2-2 Economic Policy on Economic Growth Ritsumeikan GS of International Investment / Export 2 University Relations Promotion 3. Sustainable GS of Bioresource and 3-1 Agriculture and Agriculture and Kyushu University Bioenvironmental 2 Rural Development Rural Development Sciences as well as Natural 3-2 Natural GS of Life University of Environment Environment and environmental 2 Tsukuba Conservation Conservation Sciences Hiroshima GS of International 4. Improvement of Educational Policy 2 University Cooperation GS of Tropical Nagasaki 5. Improvement of Health Policy Medicine and Global 2 University Health Total 20 Evaluation of the JDS Project The JDS project is designed to foster young administrators who can practically solve issues of social and economic development. In order to carry out the JDS project effectively to achieve this goal, targets (higher goals and project goals) have been set separately for each Sub-Program and Component. ii The effect of the human resource development program is expected to manifest itself in the long term. Therefore, the Project Design, particularly the Project Purpose which defines the performance target at the time of project completion, can only refer to the acquisition of knowledge necessary to solve the development issues and the resulting increase in the competence of the personnel involved in policy-making in the Target Organizations. Nevertheless, it is expected that JDS fellows will ultimately “contribute to solving development issues in their countries” by applying the acquired knowledge effectively and being given responsibilities and opportunities to do so in the Target Organizations. The following indicators are used to measure the achievement of Project Purposes, and in light of the above perspective they are applied to all Components: ・ Ratio of JDS participants who obtain Master’s degree ・ Improvement of JDS participants’ analysis/policy making/project managing ability ・ JDS participants’ making policy and implementation through making use of outcomes of study abroad For the "Obtaining master's degree for returned students" and "Improving the analysis abilities, policy proposal abilities, and project operation and management abilities of returned students" indexes, high completion rates and improvements in abilities are expected through the following: recruiting people who can work on each sub-program and component; selection that assesses the potential for academic attainments, work experience, and contributing on return; programs and systems offered by the accepting universities during students' stays in Japan; and monitoring and support from implementing institutions. In addition, for the "Policy proposal and implementation using the results of study abroad by returned students" index, Laos is returning many of the JDS students to their former posts, where they can make use of the knowledge and skills they learned in Japan, but the creation of a critical mass and implementing follow-ups are expected to improve results still further. 2. Recommendations (1) Strengthening of recruitment In order to secure JDS participants who will be able to assume important positions in the government of the Lao P.D.R. in the future and contribute to the development of the country, in other words, those who can accomplish the purpose and maximize the effect of JDS projects, it is necessary to recruit many outstanding applicants from the appropriate target organizations and carefully select the more outstanding applicants among them, with this process acting as the entry point for the project. In recent years, however, the accepting universities in taking JDS participants from Laos have also been pointing out that their quality has been decreasing. For the target organizations, young staff in their prime with potential and English abilities are a valuable
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