Call for participants
2016 International Workshop on

Global Research Challenges in Africa
Compared to Japan
3/1 - 3/11, 2016
Abomey – Calavi University in Benin Republic
Science and Engineering challenges in global area
UNEP: United Nations Environment Program in Kenya
Global environmental issues and perspectives

Activities:- Discussion with Japanese Embassy diplomats in Benin Republic- Biodiversity study- Experiment rural life and more…
Selection Criteria (Max 8 students) :- Have a deep interest to African countries- Able to discuss on each topics- Have an approval from your supervisor- Able to follow visiting countries immigration laws
(vaccination, visa and etc.)
To apply, send one-page of your research abstract to:office@gsdm.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Application deadline: Wed., Jan. 20, 2016
*Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.

Call for participants : -2016 International Workshop on Global Research Challenges inAfrica Compared to Japan多くの先進国が成熟し様々な問題を抱える一方、日本から約 1 万 km 以上遠方にあるアフリカ大
陸は今や世界が注目する成長する大陸である。その可能性は、豊富な鉱物•エネルギー資源にはじまり、増加する人口を基盤とする経済、食料、物流やインフラ、衛生環境を含む医療など多岐にわたる。アフリカ大陸と言っても、54 カ国がヨーロッパ全土 3 つ分の広大な面積の中に存在しており、多種多様な民族、文化、宗教そして政治的背景を持つ。このような「大きく」かつ「多様な」アフリカ大陸の将来を考える上で、物事を一元的に捉えるのではなく、多面的な視点を持ち、さらにはアフリカと日本の関係、日本が貢献できることなどを実際に複数のアフリカの諸国にある国際機関、大学、研究機関を訪問することで考える。

While many developed countries face a variety of issues, African continent distant fromJapan for more than 10 000 km is now attracting the attention of the world. The most richest
continent composed on 54 countries obtrudes in a very wide field as mineral, energy
resources, population, food, logistics and infrastructure, a wide variety of medical andmedicine, variety of ethnic, cultural, religious. African continent presents a variety ofperspectives as well as challenges and has a long relationship history with japan and others
Asian countries.

Visiting some UN international organizations having their headquarters inAfrica and doing some activities with representatives of wide fields (academic, diplomatic,justice, political etc.) may strengthen the knowledge and skill as international leader.

<Plan>March 1 (Tue) : Departure from Narita
March 2 (Wed) : Arrival at Cotonou in Benin, visit of the Supreme Court
March 3 (Thu) : Workshop at Abomey-Calavi University, visit of the Japanese EmbassyMarch 4 (Fri) : Pendjari area
March 5 (Sat) : Bio diversity study
March 6 (Sun) : Experience of rural lifeMarch 7 (Mon) : Visit of government officials
March 8 (Tue) : Transfer to Kenya
March 9 (Wed) : Workshop at the United Nations Environment Program in Kenya
March 10 (Thu) : Transfer to Japan<Expected participants>
8 students maximum<Application>
Please submit 1-page abstract to office@gmsi.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp by Jan. 20.The abstract should
contain; name, email, course, grade, department, name of your supervising professor,
summary of research including figures. Your application should be approved in advance by yoursupervising professor. Please include his/her email address in CC when submitting theapplication.

International Workshop in 2016
： Global Research Challenges in Africa Compared to Japan
JosianePonou ép. Zomahoun*1 and Ai Ueno*2*1Department of System Innovation, *2Department of Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo.

1. Outline of international Workshop
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent, it covers six
percent of Earth's total surface area and 20.4 percent of its total land area withabundant natural resources.However, Africa remains the world's poorest andmost underdeveloped continent. It is is now attracting the attention of the world
including Japan.
The international workshop on Global Research challenge in Africa compared toJapan was conduct to have more understanding about this continent with hope it canbe help for future development of the continent.
Visit Countries: Benin Republic, Kenya
Period: from March 1st, 2016 to March 11th, 2016
Participants: GSDM students 4, GMSI Students 5, Company Member 1, Faculty 3
2. Topic and result of the international Workshop- Visiting Takeshi Japanese language school in Cotonou, Benin Republic- International workshop with students at Abomey-calavi University-UAC BeninRepublic for exchange the ideas and methodology to conduct the research.
- Discussion with Japanese Embassy diplomats in Benin Republic to have more
information about the current situation of this country.
- Experiment rural life for understanding about the reality in this country and from thathave efficient research for the develop of this continent…
- Biodiversity study- Workshop at United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) and UN-HABITAT
3. Students Impressions- By participating all above activities, I have more understanding about current
situation in African in General and Benin in particularly. First of all, I have more
understanding about the difficulties that the researcher in that areas facing when
conducting the research. That is because of lacking information, sufficient equipment,transportations... Secondly, the understanding about the contribution of Japanese
Government and the international community represented by the United Nationsorganization for the development of this continent. Last but not least, those activities
changing our mind on the way of thinking conducting the research for more value forthe global development.
- After few years the members of this workshop will be part of some organization orcompany and our decisions might have big impacts. Therefore, I believe we all
remember this workshop and contribute towards the societies which need us more.
- This workshop was an amazing experience for all of the members. I personallybelieve it is a lifelong experience which will certainly help us to think in different
dimensions rather than our academic research and thus pave the way to become a
global leader in foreseeing future.

Fig.1. Visiting Japanese school in Benin

Fig.2. Discussion with UAC students

Fig.3 Dean of Engineering, UAC

Fig.4 Japanese Embassy in Benin

Fig.５. Rural life with Benin farmers

Fig.６. Farming activities in rural life

Fig.７. Biodiversity study at Pandjari

Fig.８. Pandjari National Park

Fig.９. Meeting at UNEP

Fig.１０. Meeting at UN-Habitat