In a simple, dignified and impressive ceremony held at the Embassy of Pakistan Japan, an MoU on Academic Collaboration Between Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and The National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies (GRIPS) was formally concluded. Mr. Farukh Amil, the Ambassador of Pakistan signed the document on behalf of PIDE alongside Professor Takashi Shiraishi, President GRIPS.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shiraishi expressed his hope that the conclusion of the MoU would mark the beginning of a productive and mutually beneficial relationship not just between the two institutes but also between the two countries. President GRIPS expressed his resolve to achieve tangible results in academic and research collaboration between both sides including a wider exchange of views on regional security issues.
Mr. Shiraishi stated further that GRIPS hosts a total of 80 faculty members including 15 foreign members and 450 students out of which 2/3rd are foreign students. It is ranked first in Japan, both in terms of teacher-student ratio and allocation of public funds. GRIPS aspires to attain the top position among the community of Policy Training Institutes in Asia and was thus desirous to expand its collaboration with PIDE a premier institute of Pakistan.
On his part, the Ambassador observed that the MoU would further consolidate the existing cordial and cooperative bilateral relations which gained a fresh impetus ever since the historic democratic transition in Pakistan. The Ambassador stated that the Embassy would continue work as a catalyst for establishing linkages between academia, think-tanks and innovation on both sided so as to providing best solutions for achieving national goals during the year 2014 and beyond.
Present among the dignitaries that witnessed the signing ceremony were the Director General (Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Human Resources & Industry Development Association (HIDA), Vice President GRIPS, Deputy Director Japan Int’l Cooperation Agency (JICA), Coordinator Int’l Exchanges, National Institute of Defence Studies (NIDS). President Pakistan Student Association-Japan, a student in a local University was also invited to witness the ceremony.
The proposal to formalize relations between PIDE and GRIPS was initiated by Minister for Planning, Development & Reform when he called on President GRIPS during his visit to Japan on December 4, 2013. Mr. Iqbal is also holding the position of Chancellor PIDE.
The MoU takes immediate effect and foresees a wide range of mutual collaboration and exchanges. It is the second MoU concluded at the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo in as many months, between leading institutes and think-tanks in both countries.
January 21, 2014
Tokyo.