GSST JICA Support Desk

On October 21, 2023, NU JICA Scholars as a group participated for the first time in SHINDAISAI, which is a university festival held every year. During the event, JICA participants showcased their cultures through slide presentations, movies, crafts and clothes, and dancing. Many visitors also joined the group for dancing.

The JSD with the help of the GSST Academic Affairs Division held an orientation on September 29, 2023, for ten incoming students from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Panama, Senegal, and South Africa. They will start as research students in the Faculty of Science, Engineering, or Agriculture, or the GSST, depending on their field of study and degree.

Subsequently, during the JSD fortnightly meeting held on October 2, the GSST dean delivered a welcome message and encouraged all JICA students to take full advantage of many opportunities available at NU.

Welcome all to the NU GSST JICA family!

The JSD with the assistance of the GSST Academic Affairs Division held the Course Registration Guidance for new JICA degree-seeking students on March 29, 2023. There were eight Master’s and four Doctoral students starting their degree program in April. The aim of the guidance session was to assist them in course selection (based on the GSST Class Time Schedule booklet and the credit requirement table from the GSST Student Handbook) and registration on the Gakujo system.
We are excited for them as they start their journey. Wishing them the best of success!

On March 22, 2023, the farewell event was held to honor five graduating JICA students and one JSD member/ex-JICA student. 
We hope for their bright futures. Many congratulations! 

The JICA Support Desk (JSD) with the help of the GSST Academic Affairs Division held a new student orientation for eleven newly arrived JICA students on October 11, 2022. (They are currently enrolled as research students in the undergraduate faculty of science, engineering, or agriculture, or the graduate school, depending on their area of study and degree they hold.)
The orientation was to help them prepare for many aspects of life as JICA scholars in Niigata and at NU. During the orientation, the dean of the GSST also delivered a welcome message, and continuing students as well as a guest/assistant professor offered pieces of advice to the new students.
We are excited to welcome them to the NU GSST JICA family!

My name is Clever Nkhokwe Kanga, I come from Malawi, a country located in the South eastern part of Africa. I am an ex-participant from the 1st Batch of Agriculture Network Studies for Food Security (Agri-Net) program of 2020. I graduated with my master’s degree in Agriculture from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University (NU) in September 2022. As soon as I obtained this master’s degree, I continued to pursue a Ph.D. from the same graduate school. Currently, I am a first-year Ph.D. student, and my research initiatives are to develop of Biostimulant from volatile compounds emitted from Shitake fungi-beds for improving rice production under climate change conditions.
During my master course period I was tremendously assisted in various ways through the JICA support desk from ex-JICA scholars working there. And it is with great privilege that during my Doctors course period I have joined the great team working at the GSST JSD and this gives me a great opportunity to give back by supporting others coming after me as I have been assisted.
I would like to encourage all prospective and current JICA scholars to take full ownership and utilization of this great office facility that has been set up just for you.

KANGA Clever Nkhokwe
Ph.D. Student
(Agri-Net 2020)

My name is Isak Lineekela Shawapala; I am a Namibian by birth. Namibia is located in the Southern part of Africa. I am an ex-participant on the 7th Batch of JICA`s ABE initiative program of 2020. I graduated with a master’s degree in Engineering from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University (NU), in March 2023. As soon as I obtained this degree, I continued to pursue a PhD from the same graduate school. My research contributions are to develop a spark plug with a reduced required energy for starting the ignition in engines, to enhance energy efficiency.
During the master’s course, I was tremendously assisted in innumerable ways through the JICA support desk (JSD) by ex-JICA scholars helping there. It is with great privilege that during my Doctors course, I joined the team at the GSST-JSD to give back by supporting others coming after me.
I want to encourage all prospective and current JICA scholars to take full ownership and utilization of the JSD office to help ease their daily life in NU.

SHAWAPALA Isak Lineekela
Ph.D. Student
(JICA: ABE Initiative Batch 7)

I am David Ayomikun Ajayi from Nigeria, an ex-participant of the JICA ABE Initiative program 2020. I obtained my master’s degree from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST) in Niigata University. Then I proceeded to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of smart agriculture from the same graduate school in Niigata University. My research is focused on Digital transformation in agriculture with the aim of introducing modern technologies to optimize agricultural value chain.
As a beneficiary of the JICA Support Desk (JSD) assistance throughout my master’s studies, I am privileged to be a member of the team which gives me the opportunity to assist other JICA scholars. The JSD has been of assistance to JICA scholars in numerous ways and JICA scholars are encouraged to use this office.
I want to encourage all prospective and current JICA scholars to take advantage of the JSD regarding any issues they might have.

AJAYI Ayomikun David
Ph.D. Student
(JICA: ABE Initiative Batch 7)

As an ex-JICA participant, I obtained my master’s degree from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST) in Niigata University. Subsequently, I proceeded to pursue a doctorate from the same graduate school. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher and my research area is in the field of soil microbiology.
The JICA Support Desk office (JSD) was introduced in the GSST to help cope with the challenges of adapting to the new environment such as the climate, phone and line contracts, apartment contracts, medical emergencies, academic activities amongst several others. The office is accessible to all JICA participants who may have any problems or inquiries.
As a message, all current and prospective JICA program participants are encouraged to consult with the JSD regarding any issues, concerns or inquiries you may have. We are here for you!!!

SAMUEL Oloruntoba Solomon, Ph.D.
(JICA: ABE Initiative Batch 3)

I am an ex-participant of the 4th Batch JICA ABE Initiative program. In 2020 I obtained my master’s degree from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University (NU). As soon as I obtained this master’s degree, I continued to pursue a Ph.D. from the same graduate school. Currently, I am a third-year Ph.D. student, and my research area is hydrology and water resources.
I was privileged to be one of the pioneers in setting up the GSST JICA Support Desk (JSD) to support fellow JICA scholars and promote the internationalization of NU. This GSST JSD has given me an excellent opportunity to demonstrate my leadership skills to over 30 JICA scholars from over 15 countries in Africa and Asia. I would like to take this chance to express my gratitude to the GSST JSD and friends for their teamwork.
My message to all current and prospective JICA scholars is to encourage them to fully utilize the JSD whenever they want to seek guidance or have issues, concerns, or questions.

CHAPASA Stanley Nungu, Ph.D.
(JICA: ABE Initiative Batch 4)