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Conference Title: JICA Chair Implementation Report (Iraq)
Dates: Tuesday, February 18, Wednesday, February 19, Thursday, February 20, Sunday, February 23, and Monday, February 24, 2025
Organized by JICA
Location: Republic of Iraq
Baghdad
18th: Mustan Syrian University
19th: Archeum School
20th: Ashur University
L Building
23rd: Kurdish Ministry of Education
24th: IVY (Japanese NGO) operated support elementary school
Main Participants
Hiroshi Sugita, Professor, Faculty of Human Development, Kokugakuin University
Background and Objectives
Iraq’s education system was one of the highest in the Middle East until the 1980s, but due to the long-standing conflict that began in the 1990s and the resulting turmoil, the educational environment has yet to recover, and the country faces challenges such as a shortage of schools and an exodus of talented personnel. On the other hand, many Iraqis still have pro-Japanese sentiment due to the large-scale presence of Japanese companies in the region until the 1980s, and interest in Japanese studies and academic exchange is maintained. In particular, the recent rapid spread of Japanese-style education, especially special activities, in neighboring Egypt has also provided a tailwind, and some Iraqi schools have begun to introduce such programs.
Against this background, JICA will implement the “JICA Chair Program” at major schools in Iraq to disseminate the philosophy of Japanese-style education and the significance of Tokkatsu. Through this program, JICA aims to deepen understanding of Japanese-style education and Tokkatsu, and to promote understanding of both academic and policy aspects.
Contents
Professor Hiroshi Sugita of the Faculty of Human Development, Kokugakuin University, who is also known as the “Father of Tokkatsu” in Japan and a leading figure in the spread of “Tokkatsu” education in Egypt, will give a lecture titled “Tokkatsu in Japanese-style Holistic Education” at Mustan Syrian University on February 18, Al Kiyam private school on February 19, Ashur University (Baghdad) on February 18, the Ministry of Education of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on February 23, and Sheilan Elementary English school in Erbil (Kurdistan Region) on February 24.
At the University of Mustanshiria and Ashur University, the lectures were attended by a large number of participants, including presidents, deans, faculty members, and students interested in Japanese-style education and Japanese language study, who engaged in a lively exchange of opinions with Professor Sugita after his lecture.
In the morning session on January 19, Professor Sugita observed classes at Arkyam School, and in the afternoon session, he gave a lecture on the essentials of Japanese-style education and special activities to approximately 60 elementary and junior high school teachers at Arkyam School.
The KRG Ministry of Education is highly interested in Japanese-style education, and Professor Sugita gave a lecture and exchanged opinions with ministry officials.
IVY, a Japanese NGO, is providing educational support to eight elementary schools in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and Shaylan Elementary School is one of the target schools. Prof. Sugita observed a mock class of Japanese-style education at the school and provided feedback and advice to the teaching staff.
Professor Sugita concluded by expressing his hope that the JICA Chair Program in Iraq will serve as a milestone toward the spread of Japanese-style education, especially Tokkatsu, in which children can identify issues on their own from an early age, solve them through discussion on an equal footing, and continue to grow as a whole community by practicing and implementing these issues. Professor Sugita concluded.
Lecture 1 at Mustan Syrian University Lecture 2 at Mustan Syrian University
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