"More importantly, to be understood from this new scheme of cooperation, is that Japan wants to enhance the good and long-term partnership and friendship with ASEAN countries."Jakarta (Antara News) - The Japanese Government has provided US$ 600 thousand budget per year for a three-year human resources development program in food-related areas through a partnership from ASEAN universities.
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Deputy Director for International Affairs, Akiko Nagano, informed Antara here on Tuesday, that the project was aimed to establish programs at ASEAN universities with contributions from MAFF and Japanese private companies, and also to provide insights on Japanese techniques as well as regulations in food and agriculture-related areas.
"This new scheme of cooperation is all about public-private partnership and also private-private partnership, and also the idea is to combine university education and industrial skills through this scheme," Nagano stated.
According to Nagano, with partnership from the ASEAN universities, Japan expects a strong project by combining the universities specialization in teaching and academics, with the industries advance skills on agriculture and food-related technology.
"So, the two combinations can make a strong project, something that has never been implemented before," she pointed out.
The annual budget of US$ 600 thousands based on 2014 Japanese fiscal year, was formed by way of a trust fund that will be handed over to the ASEAN Secretariat who will be the coordinator of the human resources development in food-related areas through partnership with ASEAN universities.
"More importantly, to be understood from this new scheme of cooperation, is that Japan wants to enhance the good and long-term partnership and friendship with ASEAN countries," Nagano stressed.
MAFF has organized "Symposium on Human Resource Development in Food-Related Area through Partnership with ASEAN Universities" in Jakarta to promote this cooperation proposal, which has participation from representatives of ASEAN universities and governments, and also the industrial sector.
A food and company exhibition was also held as a side event at the symposium, in which exhibitors from leading Japanese food companies, like Ajinomoto (Co., Inc), Fuji Oil Asia (Pte. Ltd), and Nichirei Foods (Inc), MAFF, and Japanese universities participated. (*)
Reporter: Azi Fitriyanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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