African RC, Kenya

African Regional Conference in Kenya, May 11, 2006

The 40 participants ranged widely from JJ/WBGSP alumni, professors from the Partnership Programs and also the local universities, government officials from Kenya and Japan, local media, and other development professionals including the World Bank staff. The scholarship program’s 83 alumni from Kenya were all invited to this one-day conference, out of which 20 were able to join the conference on that day.

The participants of the conference

The Program was grateful to have Hon. Kilemi Mwiria, Assistant Minister for higher and Technical Education, Ministry of Education Kenya, and Mr. Miyamura, Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, both of whom gave an opening remarks and also Mr. Toshio Oya, the Alternate Executive Director to World Bank representing Japan, who gave closing remarks at the conference.

Three JJ/WBGSP alumni from the Africa region were awarded by Mr. Toshio Oya for their outstanding papers which they wrote during their pursuit at Masters’ programs. These were:

Mr. Toshio Oya awards Mr. Edward Gakunju from Kenya

Determinants of Health Status in Kenya by Mr. Edward Gakunju from Kenya, a graduate of Makerere University

The Long-Run Effects of Fiscal Deficit on Economic Growth in Ghana, 1970 – 2000, by Ms. Bernice Serwah Duodu from Ghana, a graduate of University of Ghana

Mr. Toshio Oya awards Ms. Bernice Serwah Duodu from Ghana

Mr. Toshio Oya awards Mr. Mbayani Saruni from Tanzania

Determinants of Trade Balance in Tanzania, 1970 - 2002, by Mr. Mbayani Saruni from Tanzania, a graduate of Makerere University

Several excellent presentations particularly addressing to development in Africa were also made, including the following:

African Development and Japan's Partnership by His Excellency Mr. Satoru Miyamura, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya
Selected Issues in Growth and Poverty Reduction in Africa by Mr. Colin Bruce, Country Director, World Bank Nairobi
Lessons from Japanese Experience in Improving Competitiveness (Knowledge Economy) by Mr. Tsutomu Shibata, Senior Adviser, World Bank Insitute (WBI)

His Excellency Mr. Satoru Miyamura, the Japanese Ambassador to Kenya gives his speech on African Development and Japan's Partnership

Mr. Samuel Helu, the representative of Kenyan alumni gave a speech where he expressed strong interest to strengthen the alumni network and also an appreciation to JJ/WBGSP and also its Scaling-Up activities. In his appreciation to this event in Nairobi, he emphasized that knowledge sharing and policy dialogue between the Kenyan alumni and the development professionals should continue to thrive, together with a solid relationship with the World Bank’s country office in Kenya and the Embassy of Japan.

For details see:

Alumni Awarded at the Regional Conference in Kenya

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African RC, Kenya