About AOTS and WNF
The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnership (AOTS)
The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) is an organization for human resources development in developing countries to promote technical cooperation through training, experts dispatch and other programs.
Initially AOTS was established as The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) in Japan in 1959 with the support of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and its main objective is to promote technical cooperation between Japan and the developing countries for the industrialization and development of developing countries and enhancing mutual and friendly relationships between those countries and Japan.
From April 1, 2013 AOTS was a Division within The Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA). HIDA came to existence from March 30, 2012 by the merger of The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) and Japan Overseas Development Corporation (JODC), as a general incorporated foundation on April 1, 2013. The objective of HIDA is to contribute to the mutual economic development and friendly relations between Japan and overseas countries through implementing projects aimed at promoting the internationalization of industries and trade, as well as encouraging investment activities and international economic cooperation. The Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA), has been changed to The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), effective 1 July 2017.
To date, HIDA / AOTS has trained approximately 190,578 persons in Japan from 170 countries and regions; approximately 201,966 persons overseas; approximately 9230 persons through Expert dispatch programs and approximately 1260 persons through Internship programs. The activities of HIDA / AOTS are financed by Japanese government subsidy, company contributions, and other sources. HIDA works closely with Japan External Trade Organization [JETRO]. HIDAs Board of Trustees unanimously adopted to change the English name to The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) effective from July 1, 2017.
Some of the activities of HIDA / AOTS:
- Trainings that are needed by industries within and outside Japan and vital to human resource development in Japan and overseas countries
- Experts Dispatch programs, etc. that are needed by industries within and outside Japan and vital to human resource development
- Studies and surveys on industries within and outside Japan, and on human resource development
- Management and operation of the facilities needed for human resource development within and outside Japan
- Loan of the necessary funds in order to facilitate overseas investment by small and medium-sized Japanese companies, which can contribute to the development of industries in developing regions, as well as studies and surveys related to these activities
For more details, please visit AOTS website.
The World Network of Friendship (WNF)
The World Network of Friendship (WNF) was formed with the consensus of all AOTS Alumni Societies during the 5th Convention of AOTS Alumni Societies held in Aichi, Japan in September 1997 with an initial fund raised through different sources commenced by a personal contribution of 5 million Yen by former AOTS resident Mr. Nagaaki Yamamoto. Earlier to the formation of WNF, there was the Inter-Alumni Society Resource Exchange Program. However, the basic guidelines were drawn in the second steering committee meeting held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in November 1998, which was then revised by the WNF Management Committee the third meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December 2001. WNF’s mission statement is “The creation of a better world through the ties of friendship and the individuals as well as collective endeavor of our members”. To implement this mission, WNF seeks to empower individuals and organizations in developing countries that are committed to the social and economic development of their own communities, based upon a belief in self-help and equal-partnership, through human resources development, exchanging information and learning from each others experiences. With this entire endeavor, WNF program can be beneficial to the countries in the region and will certainly be an effort to attain the aim stated in the WNF resolution.
The money in this fund was collected in the form of donations from the members of the Alumni Societies, AOTS staff members and other people for the purpose of funding trainee exchange programs among the AOTS Alumni Societies. AOTS is entrusted by the Alumni Societies to manage the WNF Fund and also assists the Alumni Societies with the implementation of the WNF Program.
AOTS Alumni Societies, as main players, develop and implement training programs or seminars with the cooperation of other Alumni societies or related organizations. WNF fund gives financial support for such HRD activities every year.