From Setagaya to Tanzania: Education Empowerment through a Local-Global University Partnership

Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI), in collaboration with Showa Women’s University, co-hosted a symposium at TICAD 9 (The 9^th Tokyo International Conference on African Development) on August 20, 2025 at Pacifico Yokohama. The symposium highlighted educational collaboration and human resource development initiatives linking Japan and Tanzania.

Since signing an academic cooperation agreement with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in 2009, Tokyo NODAI has actively promoted student exchange, academic cooperation, and capacity building in the fields of food, agriculture, and the environment. These efforts have contributed to the development of future leaders equipped to address global challenges.

During the symposium, Prof. Akiko Imai and the students introduced initiatives led by Showa Women’s University, including the development of local women’s school. This was followed by Prof. Rie Miyaura, Director of the Center for Global Initiatives at Tokyo NODAI, who outlined the university efforts to foster young professionals and strengthening partnerships with SUA. Tanzanian alumni Dr. Denis Pastory Rubanga, along with current graduate student Ms. Ayumi Uchida from Graduate School of International Food and Agricultural Studies, also shared their experiences. They emphasized the significance of this partnership and its positive impact on their academic and professional development.

The symposium featured distinguished speakers, including Hon. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Tanzania; H.E. Baraka H. Luvanda, Ambassador of Tanzania to Japan; Mr. Shinichi Goto, Former Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania; and Prof. Mariko Bando, President of Showa Women’s University.

The full symposium can be viewed via the Setagaya e-collage platform: https://setagaya-ecollege.com/course/course-000915.html

Photo 1: Symposium Panelists, organizers and guests

Photo 2: Symposium Panelists

Photo 3: Hon. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania (3rd from left), and H.E. Baraka H. Luvanda, Former Ambassador of Tanzania to Japan (5th from left), at the Tokyo NODAI booth during TICAD 9, Yokohama.

Photo 4: Tokyo NODAI students at the Tokyo NODAI Booth during the TICAD 9, Yokohama