Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has long provided training programs as a part of technical cooperation in various fields to different countries around the world. JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Programs (KCCP) is a short term training programme forming part of JICA’s technical cooperation. Hundreds of participants from around the Eastern Caribbean participate in the KCCP in Japan yearly. The programme includes the knowledge that Japanese society has accumulated, including its background in areas such as organizational know-how and social systems, can only be understood through first-hand experience. The programs are an important means of technical cooperation which supports human resource development and resolving issues in developing countries
JICA, in order to strengthen a network among its target countries, in 2019, established a new long-term training scholarship program, called “SDGs Global Leader”. JICA aims to foster junior/mid-level government officials, academicians and leading human resources in various fields who are capable of influencing policymaking in their countries or contributing to socioeconomic development in the near future, by providing a Master’s/Doctoral program in universities in Japan. The objective of the SDGs Global Leadership Program is to promote cooperation for sustainable development in the world, under the framework of JICA Development Studies Program (JICA-DSP). The program offers candidates an insight on the Japanese developmental experience and also offers internships on completion of the program if necessary.
Applicants are nominated by each country’s government, and then approved by JICA. After this procedure, screening will be conducted at the proposed universities. Applicants must pass University’s regular admission procedures including examinations to enter the program.
Mr. Hardin Jn Pierre, employed as a Fisheries Extension Officer with the Department of Fisheries within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development is the first Saint Lucian to be awarded this scholarship. Mr. Jn Pierre will be pursuing Doctorate Research to investigate incorporation of artificial feed along with live feed (Artemia) to reduce the cost of feed in the early stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larval shrimp production. This type of knowledge will help stop delays in production of post larvae, help in reducing the cost of production and ultimately helping in making shrimp farming in Saint Lucia more efficient and sustainable. He will be pursuing his research with the Kagoshima University which is world renowned for its programmes and research in aquaculture. Mr. Jn Pierre has always had a love for aquaculture and has previously served as Head of the Unit within the Department of Fisheries. He obtained a Masters degree in Sustainable Aquaculture with the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and has completed many courses in this area to reinforce his knowledge and wide ranging expertise including Coastal Fishing Technique for Sustainable Resource Use and Tropical Aquaculture.
Mr. Jn Pierre also expressed his elation to have received this opportunity to broaden his horizons. His passion for expansion of research in this area of study, especially its applicability to the Saint Lucian context will be at the forefront of his research. He encourages other Saint Lucians to seek these opportunities for growth, not only for their personal development but also as a means of national development.
Mr. Hiroyasu TONOKAWA, Chief Representative of JICA Saint Lucia Office expressed his confidence in Mr. Jn Pierre as Saint Lucia’s first recipient of this scholarship as this opportunity continues to contribute to strong bonds between Saint Lucia and Japan. He also encouraged other Saint Lucians to take this opportunity to apply for this scholarship programme as it runs annually.
In addition to Saint Lucia, one scholarship will be given each year to the other participating countries in this programme including Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Saint Kitts Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.
JICA Saint Lucia Office, takes this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Jn Pierre on the award of this scholarship and wishes him the best on his Doctoral journey.
