HomeEmail: kokusai‑group@office.hiroshima‑u.ac.jp
On August 20, 2025, Hiroshima University hosted the event “GLOBAL INNOVATION: Japan–Africa University Symposium – Envisioning the Future of Japan–Africa Human Resource Development and Science & Technology Cooperation” at the Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama City. This event was officially endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an associated event of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), taking place from August 20 to 22, 2025.
The symposium saw participation from a wide range of attendees, including universities from Japan and Africa, international organizations, government officials, private sector representatives, and members of the general public interested in Africa.
Opening remarks by President Mitsuo Ochi
Mitsuo Ochi, President of Hiroshima University, opened the event by highlighting the university’s more than 30 years of engagement with Africa in education and human development. He emphasized the importance of Japan and Africa collaborating as equal partners to nurture talent with diverse values—a necessity for tomorrow’s world. He also notes the university’s partnership with the Pan‑African University, formalized through an agreement in November 2024, and reaffirmed the university's commitment to advancing education and scientific collaboration with Africa, as well as expanding the opportunities for African students.
Hendrina C. Doroba, Education & Skills Development Manager at the African Development Bank, explained the current state of educational infrastructure in Africa and the potential for international collaboration. She stressed that Africa is at a developmental turning point, and that human resource development is key to sustainable growth and global competitiveness. She advocated for Japan–Africa partnerships in science, technology, and higher education, leveraging scholarships and other opportunities to empower youth and channel innovation into industry and society.
Keynote speech 1: Hendrina C. Doroba, the African Development Bank
Keynote speech 2: Hassan Virji, Honorary Secretary‑General of START International
Hassan Virji, Honorary Secretary‑General of START International, spoke on societal problem‑solving and human resource development through science and technology collaboration. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience supporting African postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students, he highlighted growing opportunities in environmental science, life sciences, AI, and data. He underscored that Africa’s population growth and resource richness make it vital to global peace and sustainability, and advocated for multi‑stakeholder collaboration—including private sectors—to address these challenges and seize opportunities.
Panel Discussion
In the following discussion, panelists included representatives from RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture), Hiroshima University, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and Sumitomo Corporation, as well as an AI specialist who is the spouse of the Egyptian Ambassador to Japan. They explored prospects for expanding educational and research exchange, sharing diverse viewpoints from academia, industry, and government.
Hany El-Shemy, Assistant for the Executive Vice President, who served as moderator
Patrick Okori, Executive Secretary, RUFORUM
Hanan Fadhloun, Consultant Psychologist- AI, and the spouse of the Egyptian Ambassador to Japan
Patrick Okori (RUFORUM) introduced the forum’s role, representing 175 universities across 54 African countries, emphasizing the crucial importance of doctoral and undergraduate education and the potential for expanding Africa’s global scientific presence.
Hanan Fadhloun (Consultant Psychologist- AI, and the spouse of the Egyptian Ambassador to Japan) discussed the relationship between AI and humans, highlighting the need for regulation and guidelines, AI use in education and healthcare, and infrastructure challenges. She stressed the importance of Japan–Africa collaboration in unlocking the potential of youth.
Kuniaki Sato, Director, International Affairs Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Shimpei Nitta, GM for Africa, Sumitomo Corporation
Managing Director, Sumitomo Corporation Africa
Deputy CEO of Sumitomo Corporation Middle East & Africa Group
Yoko Simpku, Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University
Mr. Sato of MEXT emphasized that Africa is an important partner and underscored the need to strengthen student exchange, inter-university collaboration, mobility expansion, and industry–academia–government cooperation to drive sustainable development by combining the strengths of Japan and Africa.
Mr. Nitta of Sumitomo Corporation shared experiences from his involvement in training personnel in Sumitomo’s African mining operations in Madagascar, illustrating successes of personnel trained under the ABE Initiative. He highlighted the importance of expanding human resource development through cross-sector partnerships.
Professor Shimpuku of Hiroshima University introduced a case study of a maternal–child health app used in Tanzania. She raised challenges around equitable access and sustainability and stressed the importance of co‑creation between Japan and Africa for culturally grounded healthcare solutions.
Signing Ceremony
Commemorative Photo after Singing
Later in the symposium, Hiroshima University and RUFORUM formalized their cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This agreement facilitates cooperation in graduate education and research in fields such as agriculture, life sciences, environment, and energy—areas closely aligned with the SDGs. It aims to promote academic exchange and nurture next‑generation leaders in science and development.
Hiroshima University intends to offer world‑class research environments to African students and faculty, supporting their return to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
The university sees this event and its collaboration with RUFORUM and TICAD9 as a starting point. Looking ahead, it will continue to expand partnerships with educational and research institutions and actively recruit international students, including those from Africa.
Group Photo
Hiroshima University’s mascot, Heroty, made a spirited appearance to show support at the venue.
The program proceeded as follows:
10:00–10:05 Opening remarks by President Mitsuo Ochi, Hiroshima University
10:05–10:25 Keynote speech 1: Hendrina C. Doroba, the African Development Bank
10:25–10:45 Keynote speech 2: Hassan Virji, START International
10:45–11:25 Panel Discussion on Japan–Africa cooperation in HR development and science & tech
Panelists: Patrick Okori (RUFORUM), Hanan Fadhloun, Kuniaki Sato(MEXT), Shimpei Nitta(Sumitomo Corporation), Yoko Shimpuku(Hiroshima University)
Moderator: Hany El‑Shemy (Hiroshima University)
11:25–11:30 Signing ceremony — Hiroshima University and RUFORUM
Contact Information:
Global Strategy Group, International Office, Hiroshima University
