VIENTIANE: The Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute (LJI) marked the 25th anniversary of its establishment this year, celebrating a quarter century of contributions to human resource development and business capacity building in Laos.
The commemorative ceremony was held at the Institute, located within the National University of Laos (NUOL), with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports, Thongsalith Mangnomek; Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the Embassy of Japan to Laos, Tasaka Takuro; Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Miyazaki Katsura; President of the National University of Laos, Prof. Dr Dexanourath Seneduangdeth; vice presidents, and partners from Laos and Japan.
The event brought together representatives from Laos including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Japan Alumni of Laos, Keiei-Juku Laos and MBA alumni group, and from Japan, including the Japan Foundation, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Laos, and other stakeholders who have supported LJI’s development.
The LJI is one of Japan’s official overseas development assistance (ODA) projects.
Since its establishment, Japan has provided sustained support through the construction of facilities and continuous technical cooperation, amounting to approximately 3.9 billion yen (around US$26 million) over the past 25 years.
Established at a time when Laos faced an urgent need to develop business-oriented human resources and create employment opportunities, LJI was launched as a pioneering initiative within the country’s only national university at the time.
Over the past 25 years, the Institute has grown into a key platform for nurturing business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs, while also promoting mutual understanding between Laos and Japan.
Through close cooperation with JICA, LJI has delivered a wide range of programmes in business management and leadership development, drawing on the principles of Japanese-style management.
More than 200 Japanese experts have been dispatched to Laos, and over 250 Lao professionals have participated in training opportunities in Japan. To date, cumulative enrollment in LJI’s business training programmes has exceeded 20,000 participants, with satisfaction levels consistently above 90 percent.
In parallel, cooperation with the Japan Foundation has played an important role in responding to the growing demand for Japanese-language education in Laos since 2012.
Through the implementation of Japanese language courses, LJI has contributed to enhancing communication skills and people-to-people exchanges, supporting deeper interaction in business, education, and cultural fields.
The Institute has also strengthened its links with the private sector through collaboration with the JETRO Vientiane Office.
By facilitating networking events and business matching opportunities, LJI supports partnerships between Lao and Japanese companies and helps Lao enterprises explore new markets. Business exchange programmes with Japan continue to provide valuable opportunities for Lao entrepreneurs and managers.
LJI currently implements several core programmes, including an MBA programme for working professionals, the “Keiei-Juku” executive programme for business leaders, and initiatives to support entrepreneurs and startups. Alumni networks formed through these programmes now encompass more than 500 members, reflecting the Institute’s expanding reach across Lao business communities.
As Laos prepares for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the importance of strengthening industrial competitiveness and human resources is increasing.
With continued cooperation among Lao institutions and Japanese partners, LJI is expected to play an even greater role in supporting sustainable economic development in the years ahead, while also serving as a bridge of trust between Laos and Japan and continuing to play a key role as a hub for deepening bilateral friendship. - Vientiane Times/ANN
