News
Promoting Research Collaboration with Returning International Alumni through the JICA-AMANO Academic Bridge Program
On April 28, 2026, Nagoya University's International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture (ICREA) hosted a research exchange reporting session featuring two international alumni who previously studied at Nagoya University and have since returned to their home countries.
This event was held as part of the JICA-AMANO Academic Bridge Program, which is operated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with funding provided by Amano Enzyme Inc. The program aims to promote research collaboration between Nagoya University and returning international alumni in the natural science fields.
Two participants from the first batch－Ms. Cabral from the Philippines (completed the Master's Program at the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences in FY2021; currently affiliated with the Rice Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Philippines) and Dr. Wainaina from Kenya (completed the Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences in FY2017; currently affiliated with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology)－have visited Japan to engage in research exchanges with Nagoya University. Ms. Cabral is conducting research on rice cultivation technologies utilizing low temperature plasma, while Dr. Wainaina is focusing on direct-seeding rice.
In addition to academic activities, the program also fostered industry-academia collaboration. During the visit, the participants paid a courtesy call on the President of Amano Enzyme Inc. and exchanged views with researchers at the company's Innovation Center located in Gifu Prefecture.
In fiscal year 2026, Nagoya University will continue to welcome the second batch of the program and further strengthen networks among returning international alumni, industry, academia, and government partners.
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Scenes from the Research Exchange Reporting Session (from left: Assistant Professor Nakata, Professor Inukai, Ms. Cabral, Dr. Wainaina) |
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Group Photo Following the Research Exchange Reporting Session |
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(from left) Mr. Amano, President of Amano Enzyme Inc.; Dr. Wainaina; Professor Inukai; Mr. Uemachi, Director General, JICA Chubu |
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At the Innovation Center of Amano Enzyme Inc. |