Ouagadougou: Former Burkinabe trainees and scholarship recipients of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) shared their experiences and the knowledge gained from their training in Japan on Saturday, during the first trainee and scholarship recipient day, in order to boost the country's endogenous development.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting, organized by the Federation of Former Burkinabe Trainees and Scholarship Recipients in Japan, aims to foster the exchange of experiences among beneficiaries of various training programs and to encourage the reinvestment of knowledge acquired in Japan for the benefit of Burkina Faso's development.
The Federation's president, Alexandre Yam eogo, emphasized the importance of the reunion, noting that it provides a crucial platform for former trainees to reconnect and share their experiences, underscoring the work being done in their respective fields. "We wanted this day because it gives us the chance to get together and encourage each other so that what each of us is doing in the field is truly worthwhile," he stated, stressing the necessity of using the knowledge gained in Japan for national development rather than personal gain.
During the meeting, participants from various sectors presented the skills they acquired during their stay in Japan, the initiatives they undertook after returning home, and the future prospects they envisioned in their respective fields. These presentations highlighted the tangible impact of Japanese training in areas such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, and development management.
JICA Resident Representative in Burkina Faso, Kobayashi Takemichi, commended the dedication of the former participants and the significance of this initiative. He noted that since 1978, more than 1,000 Burkinabe have benefited from short and long-term training programs in Japan as part of the cooperation between the two countries. The training programs include Young Leader, ABE Initiative, SDGs, Agri Net, Improvement in Children's Learning, and Core Human Resource Development for Road Asset Management.
Mr. Takemichi remarked that the day aims to create synergy among beneficiaries of knowledge co-creation programs and to foster the sharing of experiences on the reinvestment of acquired knowledge. He also reiterated the Japanese government's commitment to supporting Burkina Faso in achieving its development objectives. "Over the years, this day can provide a formal framework for sharing experiences and encourage more participants to put their skills to use for the benefit of the people," he said.
The day's activities concluded with a visit to the Thomas Sankara Memorial, a symbol of development values, social cohesion, and patriotic commitment. Participants also aimed to strengthen the collaborative dynamics between former scholarship recipients to further contribute to the progress of Burkina Faso.