Project Overview

This project was concluded in March 2019. Utilizing the experience and network gained through this project, we are to further promote exchanges and collaborations with our partners in Latin American countries.
Please check the “Final Report” of the project: Japanese / Spanish / Portuguese

Overview of the Project

The project, “Leadership Development in the Fields of Food, Agriculture, and the Environment in Latin America”, strengthens partnerships with agricultural universities in Latin America, creating a comprehensive practical learning program by adding agriculture study internships to exchange programs already in place. The aim is to train Latin America-ready global personnel with pioneering spirit, and help them either find jobs with Japanese enterprises engaged in sustainable food production, or support their entrepreneurial pursuits in the fields of agriculture, forests or fisheries.

What is the MEXT “Re-Inventing Japan Project”?

This project aims to foster human resources that can be globally active, expand the global reach of university education, and build global networks. It ensures the quality of higher education, financially support collaborative programs that give Japanese students the chance to study overseas, and provide opportunities for students from foreign countries to study in Japan.
There were 25 universities that applied to receive “Support for exchanges with universities in Latin America and others”, of which only eight (our university NODAI was the only independently selected private university) were selected.

Overview of Exchange Programs

Exchange students sent from NODAI

Send students to four partner universities for long term (6 month to 1 year starting in August or September) and short term (2 to 3 weeks, in August or September), and to agriculture related companies and groups for long term (more than 6 months) and short term (up to 1 month).

Exchange students accepted to NODAI

Accept students to NODAI from four partner universities in Latin America for long term (6 months to 1 year) and short term (2 to 3 weeks in September and October), and accept students to organic farming, food processing , and product development and sales companies for long term (6 months or longer) and short term (up to 1 month).

Features of the NODAI Exchange Programs (Sending and accepting students)

This program combines studies at overseas universities with agricultural internships. Whether for long term or short term, the following elements are incorporated in the programs.

1) Specialized subjects offered at hosting universities
2) Training of the local language (NODAI students study Spanish and Portuguese, students from partner universities study Japanese)
3) Interactions with the students of the hosting university
4) Agricultural internships
5) Visits to agriculture related facilities

Leadership and Talent Development

This project aims to develop leaders with practical knowledge in Latin American food, agriculture, and environments for sustainable food production, through study at partner universities and agricultural internship programs. To cultivate intercultural understanding, NODAI students participating in short term programs receive intensive Spanish or Portuguese language courses on-site at their host institutions. In turn, Tokyo NODAI provides intensive Japanese language courses for students coming from Latin America.

Features of the Project

World food shortage caused by explosive population growth is a problem that humankind needs to address, and the Latin American region is going to have a critical role as a food supplier. As a comprehensive agriculture and life sciences university, Tokyo NODAI works alongside Latin American partner universities and successful NODAI alumni living in Latin America, to develop leaders with practical knowledge in the areas of food, agriculture, and the environment through programs that combine short and long term exchange study with agriculture internships.

Expected Number of Exchange Students

Year	State	Outbound Students	Inbound Students
2015	Brazil	6	5
	Mexico	2
	Peru	2
2016	Brazil	8	10
	Mexico	6
	Peru	6
2017	Brazil	9	15
	Mexico	8
	Peru	8
2018	Brazil	9	15
	Mexico	8
	Peru	8
2019	Brazil	9	15
	Mexico	8
	Peru	8