From L-R Ms. Njeri Kagema, Prof. Miyamoto Ritsuko, Prof. Prof. Bernard Ikua, Prof. Robert Kinyua, Prof. Jackson Kwanza

In a move to deepen academic and technological collaboration between Japan and Africa, the Japanese government has intensified efforts to attract more African students to its universities through the Study in Japan for Africa program. The initiative aims to increase African enrollment in Japanese higher education institutions, particularly in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biotechnology, Environmental Studies, and Information Technology, to equip students with globally competitive skills.

The program, spearheaded by Akita University, is part of Japan’s broader strategy to foster human capital development while strengthening cultural and academic exchanges between the two regions.

On January 27, 2025, during an event held at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya, Prof. Miyamoto Ritsuko, the Study in Japan for Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Director, underscored the program’s significance in providing African students with access to high-quality education. She highlighted that the initiative is not only about academic training but also about building long-term partnerships between Africa and Japan through knowledge sharing and cultural integration.

Currently, 1,994 African students are enrolled in Japanese universities. With an ambitious target of 2,500 students by 2028, the program seeks to increase awareness of study opportunities, ensuring that more young Africans gain specialized training in fields critical to their home countries’ development.

According to Njeri Kagema, the Nairobi-based Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office Coordinator, the initiative is working closely with institutions such as JKUAT to promote available scholarship and exchange programs. She noted that JKUAT, renowned for its strong engineering and technology programs, serves as an ideal bridge for African students seeking higher education in Japan.

Prof. Bernard Ikua, JKUAT’s Acting Vice Chancellor, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a crucial step in equipping young Africans with the expertise needed to drive their nations' industrial and technological growth. He emphasized JKUAT’s long-standing collaboration with Japanese universities, citing that many of its faculty members have previously studied in Japan under similar exchange programs.

Japan has historically been a key supporter of Africa’s education and research sectors, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. By expanding student enrollment through the Study in Japan for Africa initiative, Japan seeks to not only strengthen its educational influence in Africa but also contribute to the continent’s industrial and technological advancement.

As the program continues to gain momentum, it is expected to open new doors for African students, offering them world-class training while reinforcing the growing educational and economic ties between Africa and Japan.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

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https://www.jkuat.ac.ke/japan-welcomes-more-students-from-africa/