The 7th batch MSP students paid a courtesy visit to the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard.
29 November, 2021
Five 7th batch students of the Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program (MSP) visited to Commandant Okushima at the JCG headquarters on Monday, November 29th 2021. They are two from Bangladesh, two from Sri Lanka, and one from Japan.
The 7th batch program started in October, but due to the spread of the COVID-19, foreign students came to Japan in late October. After a quarantine period of about 2 weeks, they moved into JICA Tokyo on November 12th and all the members gathered there to start their new lives.
During the courtesy call, the students introduced themselves and the encouragement from Commandant Okushima was given. Commemorative photos were taken lastly.
The students said, "The content of the lectures is very hard and I am working on the tasks until late at night. I miss my family because I live away from them, but I encourage each other and do my best. One year later, I want to get a master's degree and apply what I learned in Japan to my own organization. "
Commandant Okushima gave words of encouragements, "The oceans are connected, and it is difficult for a single country to solve maritime issues. You will deepen the bonds between students as well as acquire the knowledge and experience through the MSP. I want you to work hard so that you can play an active role in maritime safety and security in the future at sea in the Indo-Pacific. "
With the encouragement from Commandant, the 7th batch students will learn advanced practical and applied knowledge about Maritime Safety and Security Policy at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and the Japan Coast Guard Academy for one year. They will strive to build camaraderie among them and build a strong human network through living together.
(*They took off face masks only during the taking of photos.)
