The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is one of the Japanese Governmental agencies which is responsible for Technical Cooperation inder Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. The technical cooperation is aimed at transferring Japan's advanced technology and knowledge to support developing countries' social-economic development.

JICA in Malaysia

The Government of Japan has been extending its technical cooperation to Malaysia since 1954, before opening of JICA's JICV office in 1966. JICa's performance in Malaysia since 1954 is shown in the table below:
 

JICA Alumni Associations ... What Are They?

Since 1945, Japan has been the host to a total of over 130,000 participants in Japan. All of these ex-participants have been active in a variesty of fields upon return to their home countries.

The first alumni association was organized in the Philippines in 1967. The association was formed to work at keeping closer contact with Japan, to get to know Japan better and to build a link between ex-participants even after returning to their home country. Since this original association in the Philippines, several others have been formed in several other countries. As of June 1999, the total reached 79 associations in 73 different countries.

These alumni associations are acting as a bridge in the promotion of friendship between participants' countries and Japan as well as between ex-participants themselves. This is made possible in part by the cooperation of JICA overseas offices and Japanese embassies.

Alumni associations also make contributions to JICA enabling the implementation of more effective cooperation programs including the training program for overseas participants.

Membership

All ex-participants are to be eligible for membership in countries where an alumni association has already been established. Those who have been home from Japan for a long period of time or those who just returned home are especially recommended to apply for membership in the alumni association.

What Do Alumni Do?

Even though each alumni is different, a general idea of what alumni does can be seen below:

General Activities:

1. Operation of alumni association: holding of an annual general meeting, executive committee
2. Information source for members: published bulletin, etc.
3. Encourage friendship among members: parties, trips, sport activities, recreation
4. Encourage deeper understanding of Japan: films, Japanese lannguage classes, occasions to introduce and to learn Japanese culture

1. Orientation for participants prior to leaving for Japan
2. Revision of ex-participant directory
3. Organization of seminars on technology with JICA

Cooperation with JICA experts and JOCV volunteers