A professor from Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences was among the recipients of this year’s JICA President Award.
Professor Takuya Baba was among the 48 individuals and organizations honored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The annual award commends the preeminent achievements of those working in the field of socio-economic development in developing countries through JICA’s international cooperation activities.
Professor Baba’s research focuses on mathematics education from the perspective of supporting developing countries and enabling broader international comparative studies. He specializes in lesson study, professional growth of teachers, ethnomathematics, and curriculum development.
For over 20 years, he has contributed to JICA projects in the field of basic education in Kenya, Zambia, and Bangladesh, among others.
Since he was appointed to Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies in 2001, he has pioneered programs such as dispatching graduate student volunteers to Zambia, expanding the acceptance of JICA-related international students, and promoting a graduate school collaboration program.
The Zambia Special Education program has helped hone the expertise of junior specialists, consultants, and researchers who would be responsible for future cooperation work.
Professor Baba also spearheaded symposiums on the UN Sustainable Development Goals that links Japan’s regional development and international cooperation.
This year is the 16th round of the award. The presentation ceremony took place online on Tuesday, October 15.
This story was first published on the Hiroshima University website.