GSST JICA Support Desk

My name is Wiyao Banakinaou, from Togo, a country in West Africa. I am an ex-participant of the JICA program ABE Initiative 2021,
and currently a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University. My research focuses on sustainable agriculture, particularly on soil carbon sequestration and the development of predictive models for nutrient cycling and
greenhouse gas mitigation.
During my master's and doctoral studies, I benefited greatly from the support of the JICA Support Desk (JSD). The assistance I received, whether through guidance, advice, or daily practical help, played an important role in my smooth academic and personal life in Japan. It is therefore a privilege for me to now be part of the JSD team. This role gives me the opportunity to give back by supporting current and future JICA scholars, just as I was supported when I first arrived. I would like to encourage all JICA scholars to make full use of the JSD office. It exists for your benefit,
to help you adapt, to ease challenges, and to ensure that you make the most of your time at Niigata University.

Name: BANAKINAOU Wiyao, Ph. D. Student
JICA Program: ABE Initiative Batch 8
JSD Term: 2024-current

My name is MUSA SAIDI Kam's, an alumnus of the JICA ABE Initiative program (Batch 9, 2020) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I completed my master's degree at the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University, and am currently pursuing my doctoral studies in the same institution. My research focuses on mining exploration, geochemistry, and metallogeny for sustainable mineral resource development.
During my master's studies, I benefited greatly from the JICA Support Desk (JSD), which invaluable provided assistance throughout my academic journey. Today, I am honored to be part of the team that supports other JICA scholars, offering guidance and resources to help them succeed.
The JSD serves as a vital resource for JICA scholars, addressing various challenges and providing essential support. I strongly encourage all current and prospective JICA scholars to make full use of this office whenever they encounter difficulties or need assistance. Man can only evolve and develop in and through society, and the contributions of those around him seem necessary for the achievement of his objectives.

Name: MUSA SAIDI Kam's, Ph. D. Student
JICA Program: ABE Initiative Batch 9
JSD Term: 2025-current

I am AHMADU Abdulrahman from Nigeria, an ex-participant in the JICA 9th batch ABE Initiative program, 2022. I obtained my master's degree from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University. I then proceeded to pursue a PhD in Environmental Science and Technology, Earth Science, at the same Graduate School. My research focuses on understanding the origin and formation processes of gold mineralization in rocks from Nigeria and Japan. During my master's course, I benefited greatly from the JICA Support Desk (JSD), especially with academic procedures and day-to-day school life. I am privileged to be a member of this team now, and I'm ready to contribute to this group by assisting the JICA scholars. The JSD has been of great assistance to JICA scholars since its inception, and I encourage JICA scholars to make use of this office.
I want to assure all prospective and current JICA scholars that the office is always at their beck and call and ready to help with any issues they might have.

Name: AHMADU Abdulrahman, PhD Student
JICA Program:ABE Initiative Batch 9
JSD Term: 2026-current

My name is Clever Nkhokwe Kanga, I come from Malawi, a country located in the South eastern part of Africa. I am an ex-participant from the 1st Batch of Agriculture Network Studies for Food Security (Agri-Net) program of 2020. I graduated with my master's degree in Agriculture from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University (NU) in September 2022. As soon obtained as I this master's degree, I continued to pursue a Ph.D. from the same graduate school. Currently, I am a first-year Ph.D. student, and my research initiatives are to develop of Biostimulant from volatile compounds emitted from Shitake fungi-beds for improving rice production under climate change conditions.
During my master course period I was tremendously assisted in various ways through the JICA support desk from ex-JICA scholars working there. And it is with great privilege that during my Doctors course period I have joined the great team working at the GSST JSD and this gives me a great opportunity to give back by supporting others coming after me as I have been assisted.
I would like to encourage all prospective and current JICA scholars to take full ownership and utilization of this great office facility that has been set up just for you.

Name: KANGA Clever Nkhokwe, Ph. D.
JICA Program: Agri-Net 2020
JSD Term: 2022-2025

I am an ex-participant of the 4th Batch JICA ABE Initiative program. In 2020 I obtained my master's degree from the Graduate School of Science and Technology (GSST), Niigata University (NU). As soon as I obtained this master's degree, I continued to pursue a Ph.D. from the same graduate school. Currently, I am a third-year Ph.D. student, and my research area is hydrology and water resources.
I was privileged to be one of the pioneers in setting up the GSST JICA Support Desk (JSD) to support fellow JICA scholars and promote the internationalization of NU. This GSST JSD has given me an excellent opportunity to demonstrate my leadership skills to over 30 JICA scholars from over 15 countries in Africa and Asia. I would like to take this chance to express my gratitude to the GSST JSD and friends for their teamwork.
My message to all current and prospective JICA scholars is to encourage them to fully utilize the JSD whenever they want to seek guidance or have issues, concerns, or questions.

Name: CHAPASA Stanley Nungu, Ph. D.
JICA Program: ABE Initiative Batch 4
JSD Term: 2019-2023

Name: SAMUEL Oloruntoba Solomon, Ph.D.
JICA Program: ABE Initiative Batch 3
JSD Term: 2019-2022