On 9th November 2024 (Saturday), the 17th International Conference on Regional Innovation and Cooperation in ASIA (RICA) was held at Jinan University, Guangzhou, China featuring 9 academic papers presented by Ritsumeikan University professors and graduate students.

Ritsumeikan University is a founding organizer of RICA academic conference alongside three other esteemed institutions: Jinan University (China), Pusan National University (South Korea), and the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) in Thailand. Established in 2006 with its inaugural conference at Ritsumeikan’s BKC Campus, RICA is an annual event that rotates among the four organizing universities, aiming to strengthen postgraduate-level international collaboration in education and research.

Each year, RICA brings together young researchers, including graduate students, and faculty members from the organizing universities and beyond. This year, Ritsumeikan University participated by presenting one paper delivered by Professor Jean Claude Maswana and 8 academic papers delivered by its graduate students from various courtiers (Japan, Indonesia, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and China).

The conference opened with a dynamic morning session, including five research reports and discussions, offering critical insights into key topics in economics. This was followed by breakout sessions where participants presented a diverse range of research covering themes such as digitalization, economics and finance, and environmental challenges.

The breakout sessions featured a total of 45 research presentations, attracting over 100 participants, including several from overseas. These sessions sparked vibrant and meaningful Q&A discussions, fostering an enriching exchange of ideas and perspectives.

RICA continues to serve as an important platform for cultivating an international academic network and empowering the next generation of researchers from diverse backgrounds. Next year, the RICA conference will be hosted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) in Thailand, where it will continue to build upon its mission of driving innovation and cooperation in the region.

Written by ALTARAIFI Khadija