On March 12, 2019, Dean Akio Takahara and the Asian Productivity Organization (APO)’s Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). With this MOU, GraSPP and APO will pursue to promote strategic collaboration for knowledge sharing, joint research and capacity development activities. This joint initiative is aimed at supporting Asian economies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn:
“The engagement would allow the APO and GraSPP to exchange experience and information in areas of mutual interest. “The unpredictable nature of the technology-driven economy makes it necessary for all economies to align their efforts to drive socioeconomic development. To achieve this, economies now need to shift from an extensive-growth strategy to a productivity-driven one. The APO is committed to helping member countries in their journey of transformation and the MOU with GraSPP is another step toward this.”
Dean Akio Takahara:
“We are thrilled to have this MOU signed with the APO. I hope that we will be able to cooperate in various ways, including students’ engagement in the APO’s operations as interns. We are looking forward to developing a strong, long-lasting relationship with the APO.”
About the APO
The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1961, the APO contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors. The APO is shaping the future of the region by assisting member economies in formulating national strategies for enhanced productivity and through a range of institutional capacity-building efforts, including research and centers of excellence in member countries.
The current APO members are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.