IELP students (Precursor of IESLP)
Messages from Graduates of IELP
Jay Mar D. Quevedo
Graduated from Doctor Course in September 2021
To be in an enabling platform for transition, expansion and deepening such as the International Environmental Leadership Program (IELP) at Tohoku University Graduate School of Environmental Studies (TU-GSES) while positioning environment at the core of learning, innovation, development and network building is a significant milestone of my career and personal growth. It goes without saying that my experience thus far exceeds my expectation. Cultural exchange here is beyond immersion into Japanese culture as a Filipino but is also about its recognition of cultural diversity and its sensibility to foster discourse from various fields and background.
Education at TU-GSES motivates diligence, excellence and pragmatic point of view. Leadership skills development or enhancement has been strategically carried out through mentorship, opportunities to work in regional projects, exposures in symposiums, conferences and seminars, and other year-long activities in the university. What is certain, is that the IELP, TU-GSES guides its students in realizing their goal. For me, it is to contribute to the environmental research community in the Philippines.
As an oceanographer studying environmental policies, it was never an easy jump but through IELP, TU-GSES Administration's generosity and support system I know I am in good hands.
PS. So if you still have qualms about coming to Sendai, don't be. IELP administration got you!
Fiona Segolame Motswaiso
Graduated from Doctor Course in September 2021
Through the Environmental International Leadership Program I learnt a lot more about environmental issues facing local communities and the planet as a whole. The program brings together students from interdisciplinary backgrounds, countries and cultures. This was a great way to share our knowledge on environmental issues occurring in our own communities, address today's most pressing environmental challenges, as well as create strategies to tackle future problems.
What I liked most about the program was the IELP meetings/workshops that invited different experts from the environmental studies diaspora, like academics, companies and government organizations for presentations. This was an excellent opportunity for us to better understand the role of environmental leaders and partakers internationally for sustainable management, green policy development, and environmental entrepreneurship.
Lastly, I have no doubt that the IELP program has highly enhanced my career opportunities and employability across a range of sectors including government, private industry and NGOs and highly recommend new students to join this amazing program!
Besides, this will be your best chance to make friends from all over the world!
Kevin Muhamad Lukman
Graduated from Doctor Course in September 2021
IELP give me the chance to expand my experience in academic field and world of research, as well as meeting with new people from all around the world. With the main idea to be an environmental leader, I believe it is very important to broadened our view with various topics and knowledge, not only from technological perspective, but also from the social and policy sector. Sendai City and Tohoku University is also a great place to study in my opinion, with unique culture and hospitality.
Astin Nurdiana
Graduated from Doctor Course in September 2021
To me, IELP is a place for those who have a curiosity about how to implement our study by considering the impact on the environment. In our meetings, since the students come from diverse background (various research topics, countries, and cultures), we can share and know how the other perceives on some environment issue which encourages us for being critical and analytical to come up with the fair understanding.
On a daily basis, I find my awareness of environmental issues increases and being able to decide which role I can take part as a problem solver in the society. For research and campus life, Tohoku University provides advance facilities and supporting system. My supervisors, lab mates, and staffs are supportive and helpful especially if we lack of ability in Japanese. Moreover, Sendai is a suitable place for a student to live in as it is not that crowded city with lower average living cost. If we are interested in Japanese cultures, Sendai has a lot of opportunities for foreign students to explore it more and help to promote the Tohoku region at the same time.
Prem Rangsiwanichpong
Graduated from Doctor Course in September 2018
Assistant Professor, Kasesart University, Thailand
In September 2018, I completed the International Environmental Leadership Program (IELP) and at the same time graduated from my doctoral course at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University with excellent student award. Currently I work as a lecturer at Kasesart University (Bangkok, Thailand).
The main reason I participated in the program is that I would like to learn about not only my specialized field, but also other fields. This program provides me with a great opportunity to improve my leadership capabilities. I am very thankful to the IELP Program, which has provided me opportunities to network with overseas researchers such as from the Sultan Qaboos University (Oman) and Curtin University (Australia). So, I hope that the IELP Program continues into the future, so that both and Japanese and foreign students are able to study and research together and can contribute to the well-being of society. Therefore, I would definitely recommend the IELP program to anyone who wants to be a great leader.
Finally, never give up on something you really want. However impossible things may seem, There's always a way.
Messages from Graduates of SERMSS (Precursor of IELP)
Samir Gadow
Graduated from Doctor Course in September 2014
Assistant Professor, Agricultural Microbiology Department, National Research Center (NRC), Cairo, Egypt
In September 2013, I completed the Environmental Leader Program (ELP) and at the same time graduated from my doctoral course at the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University. Currently I work as an assistant professor at the same department, where the focus of my work has been the development of a new system for upgrading biohydrogen production from cellulosic biomass.
Through this program, I have gained a lot of professional skills, reallife experience and practical knowledge particularly in the field of Sustainable Environmental Planning and Management and have met a lot of ambitious and motivated people. Throughout my life, I would like to work creatively and for my future career to be challenging. Thus, I believe that successfully finished the ELP got me one step closer to that goal. Therefore, I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to be a great leader and to make a difference in today's work environment.
Hernando P. Bacosa
Completed the Basic Course in March 2013
Faculty Member, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technolog, Philippines
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Texas at Austin where I study the role of the interaction of bacteria, phytoplankton, and hydrocarbons on the fate of oil in the marine environment. I belong to a project funded by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). This endeavor aims to investigate the impacts of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico particularly the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout, and to improve our understanding of such events and their environmental and health effects. I work with a research consortium that brings together complementary experts from six institutions in the United States and Europe that includes ecologists, chemists, engineers, and numerical modelers.
Thanks to the Environmental Leader Program for providing me the essential thinking skills, abilities, and perspective that help me work effectively as part of this group. Working in a multidisciplinary and diverse group is a challenging situation. I hope that students in the ELP should make use of the opportunity to learn and develop these crucial skills in order to prepare themselves for the actual work situation and as guardians of the planet.