NEWS

ICU Graduate Student Received the Outstanding Research Presentation Award by Japan Society for Africa Educational Research

Update: October 16, 2024

Our doctoral student, Kanako Omi, received the Outstanding Research Presentation Award from Prof. Keiichi Ogawa, the president of Japan Society for Africa Educational Research (JSAER) at Hiroshima University on October 14, 2024.

Kanako Omi's presentation titled "Youth Agency towards Social Change: The Case of Return Migrant Entrepreneurs in South Africa" took a life history approach to examine the dynamism of identity formation of Black South African youth returning to their areas of origin to start their own businesses, while suffering from high unemployment rates, despite being described as a born-free generation after the Apartheid. The case study was commended for capturing an important theme from a unique perspective based on fieldwork in South Africa.

Comments by the Awardee
I am truly honored to receive the Outstanding Research Presentation Award from the Japan Society for Africa Educational Research at Hiroshima University. I am currently working on the finalization of my doctoral dissertation, and I am very pleased and humbled to receive this recognition at such a time. I would like to sincerely thank my advisor, Prof. Nishimura, for her invaluable support throughout this research journey. I also extend my gratitude to my seminar peers for their insightful feedback and suggestions over the years, which have significantly enhanced my work. I hope my research will contribute to a better understanding of youth agency in the context of Africa and offer fresh perspectives on rural community development.