Newly minted ASCI doctoral graduates present dissertation research

On March 26, 2026, the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) hosted a research presentation session at the Asian Legal Exchange Plaza on Nagoya University’s Higashiyama Campus. The event featured work by recent graduates of the Transnational Doctoral Programs for Leading Professionals in Asian Countries. The presentations were delivered both in-person and online to accommodate a broader audience.

The event opened with remarks from ASCI Director Akira Yamauchi, followed by congratulatory messages from Nagoya University President Naoshi Sugiyama and deans of the graduate schools where the graduates have completed their doctoral programs. The ceremony also included video messages and online greetings from guests of honor representing government agencies and academic institutions in Lao DPR, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Cambodia, where the graduates are working.

Seven doctoral graduates presented their research findings:

• Dr. Souphaphone Sadettan (Cabinet of Ministry of Health, Lao PDR): “Determinants of postnatal care utilization and maternal practices in rural areas of Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A community-based cross-sectional study”
  • Supervisor: Dr. Eiko Yamamoto, GSM
• Dr. Huong Thu Duong (Ministry of Justice, Vietnam): “Toward a sustainable civil legal aid system in Vietnam: Lessons from Japan and the United States”
  • Supervisors: Dr. Ayako Harada and Dr. Akira Fujimoto, GSL
• Dr. Boldsuren Bishkhorloo (National University of Mongolia): “Cultural transcript analysis of Mongolian lessons”
  • Supervisor: Dr. Yoshiaki Shibata, GSEHD
• Dr. Sopheak Thav (Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia): “Comparative study of forest structure, litterfall production, and forest dynamics among three major forest types in Cambodia”
  • Supervisor: Dr. Michiko Nakagawa, GSBS
• Dr. Sothea Kong (Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia): “Challenges and prospects for inhering traditional foods in Cambodia, a case of popular fruit ‘Romdenh’”
  • Supervisor: Dr. Kasumi Ito, International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture (ICREA)
• Dr. Vichet Ratha Khlok (Ministry of Environment, Cambodia): “The linkage between in-service teacher training and teacher quality improvement at the secondary school level in Cambodia”
  • Supervisor: Dr. Aya Okada, GSID
• Dr. Somean Kuoch (Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, Cambodia): “Determinants and wage effects of education-job mismatches in labour market: Evidence from employee skills and job survey in Cambodia”
  • Supervisor: Dr. Shoko Yamada, GSID