第2期生 (2015)

Country: Ghana

My research interest is in human development policies, focusing mainly on cluster-based integrated poverty reduction, industrialization and international development cooperation.

Before commencing the GRIPS Global Governance Program, I worked for almost ten years, initially as a national Budget Implementation Officer and later as a mid-career Officer in the External Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance supporting the coordination and management of external support for Ghana's development. In fulfilment of the latter schedule, I have been privileged to participate in several of the on-going international development cooperation architecture reform related meetings including the Global Partnership for Development Cooperation and the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). In between the period spent in the Ministry of Finance, I received a Master's degree in International Development Management from the University Of Manchester, UK in 2008. Prior to this, I was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Planning (Development Policy Option) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana in 2005.

My choice of the Global Governance Program is based on the program's ability to help satisfy my career and professional objectives of seamlessly meeting both academic rigor while shaping workable policies for existing and emerging development challenges. The interdisciplinary nature, the transcultural settings, where students of diverse policy backgrounds feature prominently, as well as the accessibility of the closely-knit faculty members were important considerations in opting for this Program.

Country: Bangladesh

I am pursuing advanced policy studies with a concentration in development economics and public policy analysis. I am particularly interested in how experimental and evidence-based approaches can make governance more responsive, efficient, and inclusive.

Before joining the G-cube Program at GRIPS, I worked in Bangladesh's field administration under the central government as Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate. In this capacity, I headed a sub-district land office and conducted mobile courts to support law enforcement and maintain public order. Over the course of my career, I also served in several key administrative roles across different districts, including Chief Executive Officer of a municipality, Revenue Deputy Collector, and Assistant Commissioner in district administration.

Academically, I hold both bachelor's and master's degrees in Urban and Regional Planning from Jahangirnagar University and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), respectively.

My motivation for pursuing a PhD in Advanced Policy at GRIPS stems from its outstanding academic reputation and strength in policy research. I believe GRIPS will sharpen my analytical capacity and policy design skills, enabling me to contribute more effectively to Bangladesh's development and to grow into a transformative leader in public policy.

Country: Uganda

I am focusing on Advanced Policy studies with a bias in Development Economics and Econometrics and my research interests are Social Security and Social welfare particularly concentrating on the dynamics of Social Pensions and Old Age Poverty among the elderly in developing countries.

Prior to commencing the G-cube program at GRIPS, I worked as the Manager of the Internet Banking section at Bank of Uganda where I was overseeing the enrollment and implementation of an e-payment system for the central Government. I had previously worked as the Manager of the Clearing and Settlement section in the Banking Department. In addition, I have worked extensively in the Human Resource Department at Bank of Uganda and was Human Resource Manager at Housing Finance Bank, the largest mortgage provider in Uganda.

I hold a BSc (Quantitative Economics), MBA (Finance) and PGD (Human Resource Management), all from Makerere University.

My motivation to study at GRIPS for the PhD in Advanced Policy is because of the superb quality education and extensive reputation in the field of policy that will definitely shape and develop my analytical and policy formulation skills in addressing and contributing to development issues.

Country: Indonesia

I am interested in studying regional economic integration, mainly in the policy making aspect in the creation of an RTA/FTA and the interaction among the related stakeholders.

I recently held the position of Deputy Director (Act) for Asia-Pacific and African Intra-Regional Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in which I was heavily involved in the chairing and hosting of the Asian-African Conference 2015 and the APEC Indonesia 2013. As a career Diplomat, I was posted as Vice Consul for Economic Affairs at our Consulate in New York City in 2008 and I was sent for a short assignment as Attaché to our Embassy in London in 2004 after joining the Ministry in the end of 2003. I received my B.S. in Economics from Iowa State University in 2001, and my M.A. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 2015 as a Yuchengco Scholar.

The G-cube program offers a 360 degree perspective on policy making, with special emphasis on creating leaders who can create policies that are relevant to the public. With the growing prominence of Indonesia's economic stature, the proliferation of RTA/FTAs, and the rise of the Asia-Pacific century, I personally believe that GRIPS would equip me with a thorough understanding of the region, analytical capabilities to formulate clear vision and policies, and strong leadership skills.

Country: Ghana

My study will focus mainly on the role of the military in the evolution and maintenance of democracy and good governance.

I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Ghana, Legon earning a BA in Geography and Resource Development. I also earned an MPhil in Peace and Conflict Transformation from the University of Tromso, Norway. Prior to enrolling on the G-cube program, I worked with the National Peace Council in Ghana as a Senior Programmes Manager, where I played an active role in the design and implementation of the Council's intervention in various conflicts around the country. These interventions exposed me to the realities and dynamics of peace building and its intimate relationships with security and development.

I enrolled in the G-cube program because I am convinced it will equip me with the relevant perspectives and understanding of policy formulation and how best to implement these policies to have the desired impact on building sustainable peace.

Country: Pakistan

I have a deep interest in researching the area of "Policy Studies" to combat corruption and to ensure governance through accountability in developing countries.

Before joining G-cube Program, I worked in the premier anti-corruption organization of Pakistan for 10 years as "Deputy Director Investigation of White Collar Crimes". For the last one year, I remained the administrative head of the Prosecution Wing at the Regional level. Prior to government service, I delivered lectures to Masters' students of Administration and Management in different Universities in Pakistan. Previously I obtained my M.Sc. from Bradford University UK and I received a distinction in the dissertation on "Political Economy of Corruption in Pakistan". I also hold the degrees of M.B.A from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad and L.L.B from University of Punjab, Lahore.

I chose GRIPS because it equips the leaders to the world with the skills and capabilities to cope with the changing patterns of governance and emerging scenarios in policy making.

Country: Thailand

I study economics, public policy, and international relations. My research interest is how to develop economic policy in order to improve a country's economy, focusing on developing countries.

Before beginning my Ph.D. at GRIPS, I worked for the Bank of Thailand for four years. My current position is a senior analyst which is related to analyzing and developing the payment systems in Thailand. Regarding my academic background, I earned my B.Sc. in Chemistry (1st class honor) from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in 2008 and my M.Sc. in International Business and Management (Merit) from University of Manchester, UK in 2010.

With an environment of highly experienced professors and colleagues from around the world, I am convinced that the G-cube Program at GRIPS will enable me to broaden my knowledge in the field of public policy within the context of global governance and strengthen the skills needed for my future career.

Country: Japan

I study the impact evaluation of programs, focusing mainly on field experiments, the labor market, demographic studies, financial markets, and payment and settlement systems.

Regarding my background, while I currently am pursuing my Ph.D. at GRIPS G-cube, I work full-time at the economic and statistics department of the Bank of Japan. I have been working at the Bank of Japan for 8 years with experience in the payment and settlement systems department and the international department. I obtained M.P.P. at the University Of Chicago Harris School, and I earned a B.A. in business administration at the University of Tokyo.

I chose G-cube because GRIPS has substantial strength in policy studies and interdisciplinary education with experienced faculty members and because G-cube attracts many fascinating professionals in the public sector from all over the world. Moreover, G-cube provides me with a very flexible schedule of courses so that a mid-career professional of the public sector like me can continue fulfilling my job mandate.

Country: Japan

I study how to reasonably evaluate policies based on methodologies such as the Randomized Controlled Trial and Instrumental Variable, focused mainly on labor policy and educational policy with a comparison between Japan and other countries.

Before beginning my Ph.D. at the G-cube Program, I spent nine years auditing the Japanese government at the Board of Audit of Japan. Also, I earned my master's degree in Economics at the University of Tokyo in 2006 focusing on public finance where I studied how policy can fail eventually, and my master's degree in Public Policy at the University of Chicago in 2013, where I developed my interest in human resources under Professor Gary Becker. Recently, I have learned how human decision-making can be biased by bounded rationality in behavioral economics, which I want to apply to my research at G-cube.

I feel a deep connection with the goal of the G-cube program that aims to grow "Leader of Leaders", which can be a great help for me to adjust to the drastically changing world. In addition, through interactions with friends from various countries, I can understand the true characteristics of a "Leader", which assists me in making persuasive evaluations of policies in Japan.