Kunio Makishima, Senior Director, Digital Services Promotion Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Regional Policy Program (’06)

Kunio Makishima started his varied professional journey in 1994 as a prep school teacher. In 1998, he transitioned to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), where he embraced roles across education, finance, general affairs, port and harbor, and policy planning departments. Since April 2023, he is serving as Senior Director in the Digital Services Promotion Division where he plays a leading role in Tokyo's digital transformation efforts.Kunio Makishima holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law from the Tokyo Metropolitan University and graduated from the Regional Policy Program at GRIPS in 2006.

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Md. Harun-Or-Rashid, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Austagram Upazila, Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh, One-year Master's Program of Public Policy (’15)

Md. Harun-Or-Rashid is an accomplished public service professional. His experience includes serving as the First Secretary at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bahrain. He has also held key positions in various government ministries in Bangladesh, contributing significantly to policy formulation and implementation. His educational journey is equally impressive, featuring a Master's in Maritime Affairs specializing in ocean sustainability, governance, and management from the World Maritime University in Sweden ('18) and a Master of Social Science from the University of Dhaka ('12), in addition to his Master of Public Policy from GRIPS ('15).

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Talaitupu Li’a, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Customs and Revenue Samoa, Public Finance Program (’08)

Being educated in Talaitupu Li’a was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Customs and Revenue (MCR) in April 2023. With a commendable 20-year tenure at MCR, she began as a Compliance Audit Officer in 2003 and progressed steadily through the ranks. In 2016, Talaitupu was appointed as the Ministry’s Deputy CEO. Her three-year term as CEO signifies a continued journey of excellence. She holds a Master in Public Finance from GRIPS as well as a Bachelor of Commerce from the National University of Samoa.

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Harish Kumar Kallega, Joint Director, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Macroeconomic Policy Program (’20)

Being educated in Agricultural Economics, Harish Kallega began his career in 2014 as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. In 2018, Harish was promoted to the position of Deputy Director within the same ministry. Following his completion of the Macroeconomic Policy Program at GRIPS in 2020, he joined the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance. In 2023, he was promoted to the role of Joint Director, where he currently remains engaged in impactful assignments and diverse tasks in the public service.

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Esther Nyabiage Nyaosi, Chief Economist, State Department for Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Lands, Public Works and Urban Development, Nairobi, Public Policy Program (’06)

Esther Nyaosi joined the Kenya civil service in April 1998. Initially employed as a Supplies Officer in the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, she diligently served for seven years, gradually progressing to the rank of an economist after completing her master's degree in Public Policy at GRIPS in September 2006. Her professional journey encompasses diverse roles across various institutions, with her expertise being honed through valuable experiences in economics, procurement, and planning. Currently, Esther holds the position of Chief Economist at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works and Urban Development, Nairobi.

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Aygun Gurbanova, Head of International Relations and Projects,Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social ,Provision (DOST), Republic of Azerbaijan, Public Policy Program (’18)

Aygun Gurbanova is a dedicated professional with experience in government administration, policy analysis, and project management. She began her career at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2011, where she served as an administrative assistant, and later advisor for the World Trade Organization division of the Department of Trade Policy and WTO issues. After a brief stint at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, she was appointed as the Head of International Relations and Projects at the newly established Agency for Sustainable and Operative Social Provision (DOST Agency) in April 2019. Aygun holds a BBA from Azerbaijan State University of Economics (’10), an MBA from Khazar University (’15), and a Master of Public Policy from GRIPS (’18).

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Takao Nakashima, Naval Captain, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force,Defense and Naval Attaché,Embassy of Japan in Korea, Strategic Studies Program (M.A.’19)

Captain Takao Nakashima is a distinguished officer of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), currently serving as the Defense and Naval Attaché to the Republic of Korea. Captain Nakashima began his career with the JMSDF in 2002 as an Officer Candidate. He served about half his career as a submarine officer and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Commanding Officer of Submarine UZUSHIO (SS 592) in June 2017. He has been serving as an attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul since June 2020. Nakashima obtained his education from various renowned institutions, including the National Defense Academy, ROK Joint Forces Military University, and he received his M.A. from GRIPS in 2019.

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Shamsuzzoha, Deputy Director,Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission , Public Policy Program ( M.A.’14; Ph.D. ‘17)

Dr. Shamsuzzoha joined the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in 2008, after graduating from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Thanks to his excellent technical skills and his tireless dedication, he quickly rose through the ranks in BTRC. In his current role as Deputy Director he has made significant contributions to the development of telecommunications in Bangladesh.Eager to further develop his policy-making and research skills, Shamsuzzoha enrolled in the GRIPS 2-year Master of Public Policy Program in 2012, and subsequently continued in the doctoral program from which he received his Ph.D. in 2017.

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Jay Tarriela,Commodore of the Philippine Coast Guard,Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program (M.A.’16), GRIPS Global Governance Program (G-cube) (Ph.D.’21)

Commodore Jay Tarriela joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in 2005 as a CG Ensign. After completing his junior billet aboard a ship and serving in different Coast Guard stations, he realized the importance of education in understanding maritime governance. In 2015, he joined the inaugural class of the GRIPS Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program and upon completion of his master’s Jay continued in the GRIPS Global Governance Program (G-cube) from which he received his Ph.D. in 2021.In December 2022, Jay was promoted to the rank of Commodore, making him the youngest star-ranked officer in the history of the uniformed service in the Philippines.His most challenging responsibility is advising on matters related to national security in the South China Sea, but he finds it rewarding to make sound recommendations on the strategic deployment of PCG vessels in critical situations.

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