Senior Lecturer, School of Automobile Engineering and Road Transport, College of Engineering, Science and Technology, Fiji National University (Fiji)

Coordinator training course for UIG Linkage to develop the local Industry had been a great learning experience for me especially the research and development and the intellectual property right and laws. We have the UIG Linkage in our college for education development only but this training has given me the insight of how research and development take place with joint activities.

The research training part of the programme was most enjoyable one and it gave a very clear signal on the effectiveness of research papers. The other was the Needs and the Seeds matching.

Though the time frame for this course was just 6 weeks I managed to grasp almost all of the contents of it but to my understanding some of my colleagues needed at least one more week of training. This is due to the time allocated for action plan which was not enough.

I am very much satisfied with the outcome of this programme that will allow me to effectively apply the learning in my university and that is what I am doing presently.

Assistant Director, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kenya)

The Coordinator Training for Tertiary Education-Industry-Government (T-I-G) Link to Develop Local Industry Sector laid a firm foundation stone to demystifying the concept of Technology Managements so often overlooked as potential pillar in industrialization. It equipped the trainees with the pre-requisite capabilities and the fire to contribute to the expanding knowledge base on strategic technology management in our countries. In summary the training simply turned us from functional managers to strategic thinkers.

What humbled us most were the interesting Japanese culture and the Technological advancement. Their work ethics compares to non in the world! We also learned how to keep time...Oh Japanese humility and honesty is manifested in their greetings and dealings. We were impressed. I noted the level of sensitivity and awareness to a clean environment and people with disabilities was great.

Kudos to my 2010 group of Luangxaysana Khanthanou, SHARMA Sudhir, ANDABWA Stanley Maindi, AGUILAR Martinez Fabiola, ANTONIO Antonio Dela Paz, SANTOS Loida Doronila, THAWONSAK Jesada KLANKRONG Pornyod) and NORRINL Ammany. We were one people, one family. We shall always remain highly indebted to the Government of Japan through JICA, the ICCEED team led by Professor Yukio Kiuchi, the Program coordinator Mr. Toyohiko Yogo, whose sincerity and encouragement was our inspiration in the completion of the program. We also appreciate and thank all our professors for their commitment and dedication as they took us through various program topics. They were amazing in their mastery and delivery of content and always willing to nature us and give their best.

Last but not the least, our families and above all, the omnipresent God, for answering our prayers and giving us the strength to soldier on, thank you so much Dear Lord.

Deputy Manager of IT Business Unit (ITBU), ITSD Project, Department of Computer Engineering and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos (Laos)

From this training course, I have learned about Japanese culture and technology. I have seen the Japanese skills, training and responsibilities toward their works, mission and vision. I admired the Japanese workers in Toyota and Musashi. They created differences between themselves and others and integrate these differences into the growth of their company as well to their country, Japan. I observed that Japanese people develop and support their products enthusiastic for human development in order to have a life in accordance with the environment and local community.

I have learned many things about Technology Management, its application, purpose and benefits from Ms. Chie Sato, the importance of Intellectual Property Rights from Mr. Hidekatsu Kashiwara and Prof. Hiroshi Kato, Need and Seed Analysis and Matching from Dr. Hiroomi Homma, Case study of Sri Lanka from Prof.R.A. Attalage of Moratuwa University.

After finish training, as a coordinator, I am going to conduct a seminar, workshops and lectures about the meaning and purpose of U-I-G Linkages, Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Management to the university, industry and government and I am going to enhance their knowledge about the various benefits and purpose of U-I-G Linkages.

I extended my grateful thanks and gratitude to the Japanese Government, JICA representatives, program and training coordinator to give me a good opportunity to come to Japan as a Tertiary Coordinator for U-I-G Linkages, Toyohashi University administrator, staffs and coordinators for sharing their building and facilities and also to my co-participants from Fiji (SHARMA Sudhir), Kenya (ANDABWA Stanley Maindi), Mexico (AGUILAR Martinez Fabiola), Philippines (ANTONIO Antonio Dela Paz and SANTOS Loida Doronila), Thailand (THAWONSAK Jesada and KLANKRONG Pornyod) and Laos (NORRINL Ammany).