第11期生 (2024)

My name is Naoko Takahashi, and I am a Ph.D. student in the G-cube Program at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), enrolled since October 2024. My research interests center on the intersection of agricultural development, rural economies, and global agricultural value chains, with a geographical focus on Thailand, particularly the Northeastern region.

Born in Japan, I completed my bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics at Kyoto University. My professional career began at IDE (Institute of Development Economies)-Jetro, where I work as a research fellow. In this role, I analyzed Southeast Asian political and economic development, with a special emphasis on Thailand.

G-cube Program offers an exceptional environment with its outstanding team of professors, staff, and colleagues. It provides me with invaluable interdisciplinary tools and diverse perspectives to analyze global issues. I am eager to acquire and contribute insights that bridge academic research and policymaking to foster inclusive and equitable growth.

My current research interests include economic development and policy impact evaluation.

Before coming to GRIPS, I worked at the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, Viet Nam for almost 04 years. My main duty there was assistance with teaching and research activities. Preceding that position, I was a civil servant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Academically, I earned my master's in public policy from the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management, Fulbright University Viet Nam in 2019.

I enrolled in the G-Cube program because I am convinced of its interdisciplinary approach. Accordingly, G-Cude will equip its students with a broad perspective in which participants can understand the nature of current pressing policy issues.

I am a lifelong learner and always aim for continuous improvement both in life and in my career.

Year 2006 marked the start of my career as part of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance, and since then I have traveled across different region with diverse field of work in the scope of state treasury. Starting from the core of treasury function as part of treasurer team where I learned about general government spending up to being part of Ministry of Finance special mission vehicle handling government's investment related to microfinance. Adding to the diverseness, before embarking to Japan for my PHD degree, I was in the financial reporting team, heading for the section that prepare Government Finance Statistics as well as analysis of regional government financial reporting.

Going to Japan is always a lifelong dream for me and GRIPS' G-Cube program is an excellent choice for my professional development. My research interest is in the area of impact evaluation regarding microfinance and GRIPS has the best of experts in the area to offer. This will serve as a continuation from my master's degree on public policy that I gained from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of National University of Singapore. Thanks to JICA through its SDG Leadership program that make this dream a possibility.

I am always passionate about improving my skills and looking for opportunities to leverage it further. I really hope that my skills and experiences can contribute to the ongoing growth of Indonesia as part of the Ministry of Finance. Through this experience I hope that I can widen both my knowledge and my network. Let's connect, collaborate, and innovate together!

I am an afro-centric early career researcher and social scientist from Kenya interested in development and social issues facing developing countries. I am currently interested in issues facing pastoralists particularly the impact climate change on pastoral livelihoods. I intend to interrogate the effectiveness of interventions as well as the role of indigenous knowledge in helping pastoralists cope with climate shocks.

Prior to starting my PHD at GRIPS I worked as a policy analyst for the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), a government think tank that conducts policy research and analysis. In my four years at KIPPRA I participated in key research projects and published discussion papers and policy briefs, the main ones being the Public Affairs Index and Kenya Economic Report 2022. I also have previous experience working in other research institutions including Tegemeo Institute for Agriculture Policy and Development.

I have a master's degree in Research and Public Policy and bachelor's degree in Agribusiness Management both from Egerton University, Kenya. My bachelor's education sparked my interest in development issues in my country, while my master's education enlightened me on the importance of evidence driven policy making, and I believe my PHD education at GRIPS will deepen my application of research and data to inform decision making.

GRIPS not only has experienced and renowned professors, its network of researchers and practitioners that students can access through GRIPS forums and graduate seminars also provides a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary learning. GRIPS therefore presents an exciting opportunity to learn, think and will enable me to emerge as an expert in development issues.

I am an early career academic with a multidisciplinary background in political economy, public administration, disaster risk management, Asian studies, and policy studies. Before pursuing my Ph.D. at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), I was an Assistant Professor of Public Management at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and served as the Chairperson of the Master of Public Management (MPM) program from AY 2023 to 2024. I am now a Senior Lecturer in the same department.

I earned my MA in Asia-Pacific Studies (with a cognate in Political Economy) from the National Chengchi University (National University of Governance) in Taipei as a Taiwan Scholar, and my bachelor's degree in Public Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), where I also lectured as an affiliate faculty. I also served the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Philippines' premier socio-economic planning body, in 2017.

I am passionate about anything related to politics of economic development, mainly state-business-society relations, developmental state, and industrial, SME and innovation policies in my region of focus, Asia-Pacific. At present, my research focuses on exploring the political economy of semiconductor industry development in Southeast Asia from a comparative perspective. Outside the academia, I compose and produce songs that forward my lifelong advocacies.

I am pleased to be part of the G-Cube program at GRIPS, where I am acquiring valuable insights into public policy, international relations, and the complexities of the global and regional landscape.

This comprehensive academic training is crucial to my research on Kazakhstan-Japan relations and regional cooperation frameworks--areas essential for fostering sustainable development in the Central Asian region.

Concurrently, I serve at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan, advancing my career within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. The opportunity to study at GRIPS equips me with analytical tools necessary to contribute more effectively to strengthening the practical ties between Kazakhstan and Japan.

I look forward to applying the knowledge and expertise gained at GRIPS to further Kazakhstan's foreign policy objectives and contribute to the international collaboration and regional cooperation in Central Asia.