On February 2, 2024, Nagoya University hosted the "Next-generation Circular Bio-Economy Symposium" at its Cambodia Campus in Phnom Penh. The purpose of the symposium was to discuss proposals and measures to strengthen the agro-bio-economy and rice production. Hosted by the Nagoya University International Center for Research and Education in Agriculture; Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences; Center for Low-temperature Plasma Sciences; Graduate School of Engineering; Center for Asian Legal Exchange (CALE); and Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI), the interdisciplinary symposium covered both agriculture and policy implementation.
Nagoya University has over 20 years of experience collaborating with Cambodian government agencies, universities, private organizations, and international NGOs. As a result, it has built an extensive network of partners in the country and developed a platform to facilitate interdisciplinary events with participants from various sectors. Many Cambodian graduates of Nagoya University now play important roles in their society. For some graduates, their studies in Japan were facilitated by the Cambodian government. As a result of this expanding network, this symposium was a good example of the next stage of Nagoya University's cooperation with Cambodian partners - collaboration and joint research as equal partners.
In this symposium, participants from agriculture, engineering, and law discussed prospects and specific measures to strengthen the "Agri Bio Economy". The discussions took into account the Royal Government of Cambodia - Pentagonal Strategy:
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Human capital development
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Economic diversification and competitiveness enhancement
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Development of the private sector and employment
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Resilient, sustainable, and inclusive development
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Development of th edigital economy and society
Thanks to cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, Nagoya University could organise this symposium in connection with a series of events celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between the two countries. The symposium itself was co-organised with the Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia, and the General Directorate of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Cambodia. It was also supported by Cambodian and Japanese government agencies, private companies, and international NGOs.