JICA Extends Cebu-Saitama Monozukuri Project

The “Cebu-Saitama Prefecture Comprehensive Human Resource Monozukuri” Project has been extended for three (3) more years. Governor Hilario P. Davide III inked the fresh agreement during the visit of Saitama officials to the Capitol last November 20.

The program is first initiated by the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) and Toyo University under the sponsorship of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Saitama has been conducting the Monozukuri lecture and training courses in the last three (3) years since November 2013 and its going to end this year.

At least 90 engineering students from USJR and the University of San Carlos completed the first phase of the program early this year.

A few of them went to Japan for company job showing.

“Since this program is highly evaluated, JICA has decided to extend its period for another 3 years,” said Kimio Wada, associate director, International Division-Department of Public Services, Saitama Prefectural Government, through his interpreter.

In addition, two (2) more college schools in Cebu are invited to join the project aside from pioneering USJR and University of San Carlos.

Speaking through his interpreter, Wada said Cebu Technological University already confirmed to participate while they are still negotiating with the Cebu Institute of Technology.

The project is aimed at transferring Japanese Monozukuri philosophy and technology in the manufacturing industries to the would-be young Cebuano workforce.

Monozukuri is a Japanese manufacturing approach and philosophy that aims to maximize customer satisfaction and create excellent products.

Gov. Davide, in his earlier speeches, the project will keep Cebu a highly competitive industry development hub.

It prepares Cebuano students to be equipped for employment in the Japanese industries here and abroad.

From his visit to Saitama last August, Gov. Davide informed that a student from the program was already hired by a Japanese company and is based in Tokyo.

Dean Virgilio Abellana said another student is now on his on-the-job training phase. He added that around 60 more graduates from the training will be interviewed for employment provided by Japanese companies.

www.cebu.gov.ph