Kento Ozaki, Japan

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Consultant, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd

Two-year Master’s Program of Public Policy (’13)

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During his studies at GRIPS Kento had the opportunity to participate in a number of international exchange programs, including at Tsinghua University in Beijing and the Korea Development Institute School in Seoul. He was also selected to take part in the Change Course Conference hosted by the Club of Rome in Switzerland and the North East Asian Youth Conference organised by the UNDP in Seoul.
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As President of the International Student Council, Kento was also very active with student activities and played an important role as a bridge between the Japanese and international students. Before coming to GRIPS, Kento studied in Canada for 8 years and obtained a Bachelor in Economics from Queen’s UniversityWe hope Kento can be an inspiration for other young Japanese eager to broaden their horizon.

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Please tell us about yourself, your (education) background and other activities you were involved in before coming to GRIPS.

With Dean Oyama at an international exchange function

I was enrolled in the GRIPS Two-year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP2) from 2011to 2013. Before coming to GRIPS, I studied in Canada for 8 years. I graduated from Ontario’s Trinity College School in 2004 and subsequently enrolled in Queen’s University where I specialized in International Trade Theory and Policy, and Environmental Economics and obtained my Bachelor in Economics in 2009. At GRIPS, I became the first Japanese student to be enrolled in the MP2 International Program.

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What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here?

I joined GRIPS because I found out that GRIPS has many renowned professors in the field of Developmental Economics. Moreover, I favored GRIPS’ multidisciplinary approach to development issues around the world. The most important thing about GRIPS academic environment is that students show practical perspectives to each issue. This is one of the unique characteristics of our school.

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You applied and were accepted to several graduate schools, including The University of Tokyo. Did you ever regret your choice for GRIPS?

Enjoying lunch with fellow MP2 students

I have never doubted my choice to GRIPS. First, I enjoyed the GRIPS small-size community. The distance between students, professors, and staffs are very close. The scholars can feel much attention from each professor. Plus, the school hears and acts upon students’ requests. Second, with fellow students coming from more than fifty countries, I appreciated the multi-national and multi-cultural environment of the scholars. There were many things I learned outside of the classrooms. Third, I was very amazed and positively influenced by other scholars during my GRIPS time because they were all highly motivated to learn and bring knowledge back to their country. GRIPS is the best.

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What did you enjoy the most about your time at GRIPS?

MCs for the GRIPS Culture Day, with Nicharat Metinee

The most memorable event at GRIPS was definitely the “Culture Day”. Together with the Japanese Student Council (JSC), the International Student Council (ISC) members devoted much time to design the day. Not only students, but all the GRIPS family including professors, staffs, alumni and student’s family members displayed their proud cultures to increase the cultural awareness within our community. Our year’s ISC has also taken the Culture Day out to the world with the internet broadcasting system. I was very happy when I heard later that some alumni were enjoying the show back home. GRIPS needs a Homecoming Day for alumni. I hope the Culture Day can evolve into one.?

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What did you least enjoy about your time at GRIPS?

Honestly, no bitter memories… There were many difficulties in keeping up with the studies and running the student council, but I enjoyed every experience at GRIPS.

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You were the first Japanese President of the International Student Council. What advise do you have for any future Presidents and other Council members.

It was a bit weird for a Japanese to run for the ISC when there is JSC. But when I thought about running for it, I found out that I had many advantages over others. In fact, being Japanese was the strongest attribute. I can work better with the JSC and other Japanese staffs and outside groups. I know where and how to get items needed. I just thought I could devote my skills to “increase the quality of life of the international students at GRIPS.” I think EVERYONE at GRIPS has some kind of skills which could be used to contribute for improving the learning environment. It does not matter who the President is or who the council members are, everyone’s participation is needed to successfully run the student government. Finally, the job for the President is to let everybody know about their potential and utilize them efficiently.?

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You have just started working at Nippon Koei. Please tell us about the company and your expected tasks and responsibilities, and career-path?

Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. has been the leading Japanese consulting firm for providing comprehensive services in the field of technical assistance to developing countries since its foundation in June, 1946.?There, I am placed in the Urban Development Department, Infrastructure Development Division. My division works mainly with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to create master-plans of the cities and industrial zones in Myanmar, Indonesia, Kenya, and many other countries. For the next few years, I am expected to fulfill supporting roles in the project sites and sharpen my skills in economic analysis. Hopefully, I can become a professional economic consultant in the near future and, then, a project manager in the far future.

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What is your favourite thing to do when you are not working?

GRIPS futsal tournament

I am a soccer freak. I try to maintain my fitness level by playing futsal once or twice a week. Other than that, I like to go out for drinks with my friends. I really miss my Friday drinking rituals at Matchan with my GRIPS family.?

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If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS, what would it be?

I always considered the GRIPS community as a small United Nations. Scholars are gathered from over 50 countries and I am sure many of them can soon being seen to influence policies in their countries. Of course, GRIPS provides topnotch education quality, but the learning opportunities outside of the classes were even more thrilling to me. Come to GRIPS because there is no other place like GRIPS.

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How do you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus?

I would like to exploit the full potential of the GRIPS alumni network to excel in my job. I work closely with the government officials in the countries that are receiving ODA from the Japanese government for infrastructure development and technical assistance. The GRIPS network is a very very strong asset for me. On top of the GRIPS alumni I studied together with, I would like to get in touch with more alumni who studied in earlier times.?

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Do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

Dressing up like Vietnamese at the GRIPS Culture Day, with JSC President Oki Yohei

Big thanks to Karin for always working so hard to maintain the strong GRIPS alumni network. I am very glad to have this opportunity to show other alumni what I am doing at my job. I strongly believe that GRIPS has a potential to become one of the most important academic/research hubs in the world. Consequently, I am sure there are many ways for alumni to get involved in enhancing the academic and life qualities at GRIPS. I am only a 2 weeks-old alumnus, so I will think more about this and start acting on it.

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