To date, JICA hosted “JICA Chairs” (programs to support the establishment of Japanese studies chairs) in 56 countries around the world to share Japan’s experience in modernization and development with developing countries.
In Madagascar, the third lecture was given on August 17 by Prof. Motoki Takahashi of Kyoto University, who gave a face-to-face lecture on “Respect for Japan’s Development Experience and Knowledge of Our Predecessors” to a total of about 130 people, including faculty members and students of the University of Antananarivo, the co-sponsor of the event, and other invited guests.
Lectures were given to 30 graduate students in the morning and to approximately 100 faculty members and students in the afternoon, followed by a lively question and answer session and discussion. The event was a success, with participants asking questions about factors that prompted Japan’s modernization, educational development, agricultural promotion measures, and other topics until well past the event’s closing time.
Summary of Lecture and Q&A Session
In his lecture, he introduced the characteristics of the Japanese educational system before and after the Meiji Restoration: in the mid-19th century, education was provided not only to the ruling class, the samurai, but also to the upper class farmers in particular, and after the Meiji Restoration, a modern educational system was introduced for the purpose of training soldiers. In addition, while rapid westernization of learning progressed after the Meiji Restoration, there was an awareness of the superiority of Japanese knowledge in rice cultivation and other fields, where rice is the staple food, and experienced Japanese farmers were hired as professors. The lecture introduced how modernization of agriculture was promoted and put into practice by farmers who had already received basic education.
Participants asked many questions regarding factors that led to social changes such as the Meiji Restoration in Japan, how the Japanese educational system was established, the impact of colonization, Madagascar’s agricultural promotion measures, and examples of changes outside the agricultural sector. Professor Takahashi spoke passionately to the students, who will be the future leaders of Madagascar, and encouraged them to study hard and think deeply in order for the country’s leadership and people to share the same goals and promote development.
Overview of Lecture Series at the University of Antananarivo
First lecture (March 3, 2022)
Theme: “Meiji Restoration: The Origins of Japan’s Modernization
Lecturer: Shinichi Kitaoka, then President of JICA
Second lecture (April 28, 2022)
Theme: “Modernization of Japan and Education
Lecturer: Nobuko Kayashima, Advisor, JICA Sadako Ogata Institute
Special in-person lecture (May 25, 2022)
Learning from Japan’s Modernization: A Discussion with Advisor Kitaoka.”
Third lecture (August 17, 2022)
Theme: “Respecting Japan’s Development Experience and the Knowledge of Our Predecessors”
Lecturer: Prof. Motoki Takahashi, Kyoto University
Special in-person lecture (August 26, 2022)
Theme: “Modernization of Japan and Education
Lecturer: Nobuko Kayashima, Advisor, JICA Sadako Ogata Institute
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