On April 20, JICA’s Sadako Ogata Peace Research Institute and Nagoya University’s SKY Project held a joint seminar to commemorate the publication of “Industrial Human Resource Development in Developing Countries: Knowledge and Skills for the Age of the SDGs.”

In this seminar, authors of the book exchanged opinions through a panel discussion and commentary on “Industrial Human Resource Development in Developing Countries: Knowledge and Skills in the Age of the SDGs,” published by Nippon Hyoronsha.
 
Dr. Izumi Ohno, Professor at GRIPS and Senior Research Advisor of JICA Ogata Research Institute, gave an opening speech, and Dr. Shoko Yamada, Professor at Nagoya University and SKY Project Leader, explained the background and significance of the publication of this book, which focuses on industrial human resource development in developing countries. In her explanation, she pointed out the importance of considering human resource development from the macroeconomic perspective of overcoming the race to the bottom, from the micro view of individual employment and poverty reduction, and the importance of focusing on various skills as non-cognitive abilities.
 
In the panel discussion, Mr. Atsushi Tsujimoto, Research Officer, JICA Ogata Research Institute, Dr. Junichi Mori, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO, Dr. Motoki Takahashi, Professor, Kyoto University, and Dr. Kimiaki Jin, Senior Assistant Director, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute, shared their opinions on the topics related to the written chapters.
 
During the question and answer session, questions were raised about the malleability of non-cognitive skills after early childhood education and about Japan’s TVET cooperation efforts, including Kaizen, and the panelists exchanged opinions.
 
Dr. Takahashi then pointed out the importance of observing what is happening in the field under the concept of inclusive development, and Dr. Yamada pointed out that it is crucial to utilize the strengths of the various forms of TVET, such as equity and specific needs, in a way that matches the local conditions. Dr. Minoru Yamada, Executive Senior Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute, closed the event with words of hope that the publication of this book will further increase interest in industrial human resource development in developing countries.

（Yamazaki Yujiro）