第8期生 (2021)

Dee Wu is a PhD candidate at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), where he focuses on Taiwan's crisis management during the Taiwan Strait Crises. Prior to moving to Japan, Dee spent about four years in Washington, DC, as a practitioner specializing in US-Taiwan relations. Most recently, he was the Deputy Director of the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party Mission in the United States. In this role, he worked with officials and experts from both countries to facilitate mutual understanding of respective domestic, foreign, and defense policies. Dee holds an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a BA in Sociology from National Taiwan University.

My research interests focus on the diverse trajectories of economic and political development across developing and developed countries. My current research explores Thailand's structural transformation from a political economy perspective.

I have a background in economics, politics, and research. I completed my undergraduate studies in Economics at Thammasat University, Thailand. I hold two master's degrees: one in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); and another in State, Society, and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), which I obtained in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Professionally, I worked as an economist at the Bank of Thailand (2009-2011) and as a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (2012-2014). Since 2017, I have been a lecturer in Economics at Thammasat University, specializing in political economy.

I believe that the G-Cube program at GRIPS will not only enhance my knowledge on research tools related to the political economy approach but will also provide me with empirical knowledge of the economic and political development of countries worldwide. Equally important, the program's diverse faculty expertise and its positive learning environment would present a valuable opportunity for me to develop leadership skills while broadening my perspective on global issues.

I hold a master's degree in policy studies, with my research focusing on the establishment of a policy framework for space sector development. Building on this foundation, I chose to further my academic journey at GRIPS to explore the emergence of the space economy within the context of developing countries. As the global space economy continues to expand rapidly and attract attention from governments worldwide, my study aims to provide meaningful insights for latecomers seeking to join this emerging sector.

Before starting my studies at GRIPS, I have been serving in Malaysia's civil service for nearly 15 years, undertaking diverse roles in human resource management, finance, and international relations. Prior to that, I spent three years working in the private sector in the information technology field.

By challenging myself to return to academia, particularly at GRIPS, I aim not only to deepen my expertise in my area of study but also to further develop my critical thinking and analytical skills. GRIPS provides an ideal environment for this growth, thanks to its distinguished professors, who bring an extensive range of expertise across various fields of study.

With a background in central banking and international economics, my academic journey is driven by a deep curiosity about the intricacies of financial systems. Currently, my research focuses on unraveling the complex relationship between network characteristics and contagion in the financial system--a critical area for mitigating systemic risks and building robust macroprudential frameworks for financial supervision. By delving into the dynamics of network structures and contagion channels, I aim to contribute to advancing financial stability strategies.

Prior to embarking on this research path, I was an official at the State Bank of Vietnam, where I held diverse roles and responsibilities at the national headquarters. My work spanned managing international relations, conducting macroprudential analysis, and overseeing financial sector surveillance. These experiences enriched my understanding of global financial systems and policy-making. Academically, I hold an M.A. in Policy Economics from Williams College, USA, and a B.A. in International Relations from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Joining the G-cube Program represents a unique opportunity to hone my analytical and leadership skills while engaging with a diverse cohort of professionals. This platform not only fosters deep learning but also cultivates invaluable global connections--an essential asset in navigating today's interconnected financial landscape.

I am interested in behavioral economics and policy implications thereof. My current research is an empirical study on urban poor people, and it is in two but related parts. The first part is on the behavior of low-paid employee when they face financial scarcity just before payday. As financial scarcity is subdued by financial inclusion, the second part of my research focuses on the low-paid employees who are financially included via mobile money technology and investigates the relationship between the usage of the technology and ownership of traditional bank account.

Prior to enrolling at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, I obtained a Master of Philosophy in Taxation from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and a Master's in Public Policy from Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management, South Korea. I have a Bachelor of Art's degree in Economics from the University of Ghana. I am an employee of Government of Ghana, and I worked at the Ministry of Finance as the Head of International Tax Policy.

I chose to study at GRIPS because I had the opportunity to observe the outstanding performances and discussed the prospects and advantages of studying at GRIPS with some of the alumni of the school. My personal checks confirmed the outstanding educational facilities, scholarships and dedicated professors at GRIPS. I have witnessed these attributes and other modern technologies used in the training of students. I have also attended and participated in seminars and conferences with high profiled guest speakers and professors since I joined the school in 2021. I have not regretted joining GRIPS and my dream of becoming a top-notch PhD in International Development Studies is on track.

My research interests focus on understanding the economic and political impacts of electricity infrastructure and blackouts, particularly in developing countries. I aim to uncover how these issues influence public perceptions of government and identify mechanisms for improving governance and service delivery in Malawi.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Cultural Studies from the University of Malawi-Chancellor College, where I majored in Public Relations (2012-2016). After developing a strong interest in development issues, I was fortunate to receive a JICA scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts in Economic Development Policy and Management at Nagoya University (October 2019-March 2021). My thesis evaluated the impacts of special economic zones in Africa as a policy tool for promoting growth, drawing lessons from the successes in Asia, particularly China. Following my master's, I decided to further my expertise by pursuing a PhD at GRIPS University through the MEXT Scholarship.

Studying at GRIPS is providing me with the tools to refine my economic policy analysis and evaluation skills. The interdisciplinary approach and opportunities for collaboration are equipping me with leadership abilities essential for implementing policies that foster development in Malawi and beyond.

I am a Lecturer at the Department of Public Administration, University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Management (Special) degree in 2016. I am fascinated by teaching and research, so I joined the same department at my university as a faculty member in 2017. I came to Japan to pursue my master's degree in 2019 to read a Two-Year Master of Public Policy at GRIPS. Soon after my master's graduation, I enrolled in the G-Cube Ph.D. program in 2021 to enhance my academic research ability. My current research interests are mainly in human capital development and the economics of education. I focus on empirical studies in the impact evaluation of education and training programs.