1999
- Category of the Government Subsidy Applied to AOTS Altered:
Training Activities for Human Resource Development, and Industrial Structure Improvement
- Training activities are divided into two: non-governmental Training Activities for Human Resource Development for economy and trade, which are designed for engineers and managers of developing countries and are available upon application from host Japanese companies, and Training Activities for Industrial Structure Improvement, which are designed to improve industrial structures hampering economic development of developing countries and contribute to innovation, etc. of trade and investment systems. Training Activities for Industrial Structure Improvement had been implemented until FY2008.
- "Dependable Friends in Asia" (Written by Mr. Seiichi Kubota) Published
- "Dependable Friends in Asia" reports activities of ex-trainees of AOTS training program based on interviews with concerned parties for three years or more. The book describes dissemination of AOTS training, which contribute not only to economic growth but also to promotion of friendly relations between Japan and countries of AOTS trainees.
- Ceremony to celebrate 40th Anniversary of AOTS, Memorial Seminar Implemented
- In 1999, AOTS celebrated its 40th anniversary and held the memorial ceremony, reception and top management seminar. The Top Management Seminar focused on three themes: physical distribution, finance and information. Discussions were centered on future human resources development in Asia.
2000
- AMEICC-HRD WG COE Program Started
- AOTS started the AMEICC-HRD WG COE Program, the ultimate objective of which was to develop common curricula on an ASEAN-wide basis. Under the program, AOTS first strengthened the training capability of the COEs recommended by ASEAN member countries by providing them with training in various subjects and having them work out, implement and follow up training programs on their own. After such process AOTS organized area-specific workshops for the COEs.
2001
- Training Activities for IT Engineers Started (~2002)
- Training programs in Japan and in overseas countries are provided to develop IT-related engineers required in developing countries with the progress of IT on a global scale. Training was provided to 48 trainees in the first fiscal year and to 248 trainees in the next fiscal year. Later, training programs in Japan were conducted as part of Training Activities for Industrial Structure Improvement.
2002
- Distance Training Program Started
- The 6th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies Held in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- The 6th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies in Sri Lanka welcomed delegates of 61 AOTS alumni societies from 37 countries, with almost 200 participants from overseas including the observers. The convention agreed to review a partnership between AOTS and alumni societies so that it will be more rational and move with the times.
2003
- Training Program on Intellectual Property Rights Started
- Dhaka Office Closed
- The Dhaka Office opened in 1984 as a branch office of the AOTS Bangkok Office in accordance with a strong request by the AOTS Bangladesh Alumni Society. The Dhaka Office had been conducting activities to respond to training needs of Japanese companies operating in Bangladesh, which was created in 1971. It was closed on March 31st, 2004, partly because the AOTS Bangladesh Alumni Society and the AOTS Nepal Alumni Society had grown independent.
2004
- Hanoi Office Opened
- To respond to increased needs for human resource development assistance among Japanese companies and local industries in Vietnam, which were experiencing impressive economic development, AOTS opened its 7th overseas office in Hanoi with formal approval of the Government of Vietnam.
2006
- "One-Village One-Product" Training Course Implemented (Mainly with African Countries Participating)
- The "One Village One Product Movement" is a program for regional development that originated in Oita Prefecture, Japan in 1979. Under the program, local people voluntarily identify a staple product and make it competitive so that it will be sold at home and abroad. The movement has spread around the world and especially in Asian countries, thereby contributing to promotion of local industries in respective countries. AOTS implemented the One Village One Product Movement Training Course in least developed countries such as those in Africa, Asia and Oceania as part of the "One Village One Product Campaign" advocated by METI.
- The 7th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies Held in Mumbai, India
- With the slogan of "Deepening the Cooperative Relationship between AOTS and AOTS Alumni Societies", the 7th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies was held and the Mumbai Declaration was adopted. The convention had delegates of about 170 people from 62 alumni associations in 40 countries. Including the family members of delegates and parties concerned, local alumni associations and AOTS executives and staff, more than 250 people attended the convention.
2007
- Conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Cooperation in Training Activities to Support Africa
- AOTS received a total of 413 trainees through the AOTS-UNIDO joint project for 29 years from 1968 to 1996. In 2007, AOTS concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with UNIDO on cooperation in training activities to support Africa, with a view to promoting SMEs in African countries. The joint project was resumed after 11 years from its termination and AOTS implemented the UNIDO/AOTS Joint Training Program on SME Promotion for Africa (UASP), which was designed to promote trade investment through promotion of SMEs and human resource development in Africa.
- "Career Development Program for Foreign Students in Japan, Curriculum Management Center" Started
- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has advocated the "Career Development Program for Foreign Students in Japan", which provides consistent support from language and professional education to foreign students in Japan to help them find a job with Japanese companies, with a view to securing excellent human resources by transcending nationality. As part of the program, AOTS implements the Curriculum Management Center Program to provide support for smooth implementation of training programs, developing and distributing teaching materials and implementing lectures' training.
2008
- Six Month Japanese Language and Other Programs Carried Out for the First Batch of Nurse and Caseworker Candidates under the Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement
- AOTS was assigned METI's task of providing six-month training in the Japanese language and other necessary matters to the first group of nurse and care worker candidates who arrived in Japan under the "Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership Agreement" that went into effect on July 1st, 2008. AOTS carried out the training programs at its 4 Kenshu Centers in Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Chubu and Kansai), attracting media attention both at home and abroad.
2009
- "Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in Industrial Human Resource Development in Developing Countries" with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
- AOTS and JETRO agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding on mutual cooperation to implement activities widely and effectively to support human resource development in developing countries. Based on the MOU, AOTS is implementing AOTS-JETRO cooperation projects including the first AOTS designed overseas training program to be conducted in Myanmar.
- Six Month Japanese Language and Other Programs Carried Out for the First Batch of Nurse Candidates under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
- AOTS was commissioned by METI to implement the Training Program for EPA Human Resource Development Assistance (Training Program for Nurse and Caseworker Candidates under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Program) in FY2009. As an implementing agency, AOTS implements Japanese and other training programs at its Tokyo and Kansai Kenshu Centers for trainees for 6 months from May to October.
