As a part of Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN, Okayama University hosted the "Study in Japan Fair 2023 for Myanmar", an online fair for Myanmar people who wish to study in Japan and their supervisors in Myanmar, from 25th to 26th August 2023.

The purpose of the fair was to promote Study in Japan from Myanmar and to support the whole process from an entrance to university to employment by providing the relevant information such as university admission, scholarships, job hunting and employment in Japan. The fair was organized by the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar, Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA), and Okayama University, with the cooperation of Myanmar-Japan Platform for Human Resource Development (MJPF).

The fair provided the following as the main contents: 1) special website, 2) online general information seminar, 3) online group consultations. Throughout the fair, information on studying and working in Japan was provided to 2,024 participants.

On the special website, Japan Student Services Organization, IUCHI Foundation, Myanmar-Japan Collaboration Project for Fostering Medical Human Resources in addition to MAJA as an organizer and MJPF as a cooperator, contributed to providing promotional materials and videos to study and work in Japan. Besides, information on the 18 participating universities from Japan was also made available and accessible on the website.

The online general information seminar was attended by 488 Myanmar people. At the beginning of the seminar, H. E. MARUYAMA Ichiro, Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar, Dr. Myo Khin, President of MAJA, and Prof. SUZUKI Takayoshi, Vice President for International Affairs of Okayama University gave opening remarks. Afterwards, 12universities, including Okayama University, introduced respective universities, and MAJA and Okayama University Japan Educational Information Center (OJEIC) provided basic information on studying in Japan and scholarships.

In the group consultations, 18 universities including Okayama University, and the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar, MAJA hold sessions. A total of 1,120 Myanmar participants received explanations of each institution and had the opportunity to directly ask questions to professors and current international students from Myanmar. At the Okayama University's session, 5 Myanmar students currently studying at Okayama University gave presentations on their study in Japan experiences, followed by a lively Q&A session.

Okayama University continues to provide relevant information on Study in Japan for Myanmar people who wish to study in Japan through our fairs, seminars and other activities.

●Outline of the Fair
1.Fair Title　　Study in Japan Weeks 2022 in Myanmar
2.Date　　　　From 25th to 26th August 2023
3.Website　　 https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/myanmar/prepare2023.html
4.Hosts　　　Okayama University, Embassy of Japan in Myanmar, Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA)
5.Cooperator　Myanmar-Japan Platform for Human Resource Development

●What is "Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN"?
Okayama University was appointed to implement the "Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN" which is funded by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) - Japan in 2019. Our aim is to increase the number of international students from ASEAN 1.5 times in 5 years. In the previous phase, Okayama University was commissioned by MEXT - Japan to implement the "Coordinator for Study in Japan (Myanmar)" in 2014, aiming to double the number of students from Myanmar over a 5-year period. As a result, we were able to triple the number of students in 4 years, achieving our goal one year ahead. In 2018, the name of the project was changed to "Study in Japan Global Network Project in ASEAN" and the target region was expanded to 10 ASEAN countries.
Currently, we have oversea offices in Yangon, Mandalay, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane. From these 5 bases, we will work to recruit excellent international students from ASEAN for study in Japan.