Md Efrat Jahan Bhuiyan SHAFIN

Research Interest：

  • Political Economy, Economics of Education, Teaching and Learning Process Development, Digitalization of Education, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Skills Development

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8675-8757

Education：

  • Master of Economics, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University, Kobe, Japan (Expected: September 2026)
  • Research Student, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS), Kobe University, Kobe, Japan (April 2024 – September 2024).
  • Master of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh (May 2024).
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh (June 2023).

Experiences:

Project

  • Research Associate, SDCMU-SEIP Project, Funded by ADB and Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh [Project: Evaluation Study on The Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP) Project (Tranche 1 to Tranche 3)] (November 2023 – April 2024)
  • Research Associate, RTISC-SEIP Project, Funded by ADB and Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh [Project: Enterprise Survey in RMG and Textile Sector on High-End Products] (September 2023 – December 2023)
  • Research Assistant, Funded by JICA, Bangladesh [Project: Performance of JICA Funded Cyclone Shelter in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh: An Empirical Analysis from Pirojpur District] (November 2022 – January 2023)
  • Research Associate, Social Science Research Council (SSRC), Planning Division, Ministry of Planning, Bangladesh [Project: Quality Early Childhood Education (ECE): Divergence in School Facilities and Parental Desire for Children with Special Needs] (November 2021 – November 2023)
  • Research Assistant, Centennial Research Grant (CRG), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh [Project 1: Japanese Investment for Skills Development Program in Bangladesh to Achieve SDGs, Project 2: Museum Service Quality Measurement for Sustainable Tourism] (October 2021 – October 2022)
  • Research Assistant, National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM), Ministry of Education, Bangladesh [Project: Relevance of TVET in Bangladesh for Youth Employability and Sustainable Career Planning] (October 2021 – October 2022)
  • Research Assistant, Funded by UNDP, Bangladesh [Research documentation for digital innovations of a2i: the myGov, Service Process Simplification (SPS), and Digital Service Design Lab (DSDL)] (September 2021 – December 2021)

Professional

  • Intern (Online), East Africa Region Section, Education Global Practice, the World Bank (January 2025 – March 2025)
  • Research Assistant, Japan Virtual Campus, Kobe University (November 2024 – Present)
  • Research Assistant (Part-time, Remote), Mitsubishi Corporation Dhaka Branch (May 2024 – Present)
  • Intern, CMSS Consulting Ltd. (BD) – Crisis Management Group (March 2022 – June 2022)
  • Teaching Assistant, Bachelor Courses: Japan Bangladesh Relations: Economic, Political, Social and Cultural; Education and Socialization in Japan; Industrial Development in Japan. Master’s Courses: Development Policy of Japan; Political Economy of Japan, (Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam), Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (October 2021 – March 2024)
  • Research Associate, (of Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Chairman & Associate Professor) Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (March 2021 – April 2024)

Extra-curricular

  • Volunteer, Understanding Risk Global Forum 2024 by the World Bank, GFDRR and the Tokyo DRM Hub in Himeji, Hyogo, Japan (June 16-21, 2024)

Publications：

Peer-reviewed Journal

  • Shafin, M. E. J. B., & Sharmin, D.: “Conservation of Traditional Pottery Art as Geographical Indications (GIs): A Case Study of Bijaypur Pottery Village of Cumilla in Bangladesh.” Perspectives in Social Science [University of Dhaka], vol. 18, pp. 117-142, 2022. https://doi.org/10.59146/pss.v18.7536

Thesis

  • Shifting Paradigm of Learning Process in Higher Educational Institutions through Digitalization: Perspectives from Bangladesh [Master’s Thesis], University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (May 2024)
  • Digital Transformation of Teaching and Learning Process for Sustainability of Tertiary Institutions in Bangladesh [Bachelor’s Thesis], University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (June 2023)

Academic Associations：

  • Japan Society for Africa Educational Research (JSAER)
  • Japan Comparative Education Society (JCES)
  • Japan Society for International Development (JASID)
  • Japanese Studies Association in South Asia (JSASA)

Academic Conference Presentation：

  • Shafin, M. E. J. B. “Socioeconomic gradients in determining fertility and reproductive health in Bangladesh: Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey. ” 21st International Education Development Forum (IEDF), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. 2024.
  • Shafin, M. E. J. B. “Expanding influence of Japan’s pop culture diplomacy in Bangladesh: The role of soft power being a cultural superpower.” 3rd Young Scholar’s Internation Seminar on Deliberations on Japan’s Expanding Cultural and Diplomatic Relations in South Asia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. 2024.
  • Shafin, M. E. J. B., Jahan, H., & Islam, M. H. “The effects of female higher education at first pregnancy: A cross-national comparison of Japan and Bangladesh.” 2nd International Hybrid Conference on Japanology in New Era, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2023.
  • Shafin, M. E. J. B., & Hridoy, M. R. I. “Bangladesh’s strategic engagement in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vs. the Belt and Road Initiative: An appraisal.” 1st International Hybrid-Conference on Post-Covid Japan: Economy, Politics, Society, Culture and Literature, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2022.
  • Shafin, M. E. J. B. “Strategic implications of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific versus China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Shifting balance of power in the Indo-Pacific Region.” Academic Writing and Presentation Contest, The KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA), Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2022.
  • Hasan, M. M., Shafin, M. E. J. B., Chowdhury, T. H., Afrin, M. T., Hridoy, M. R. I., Ahmed, S. M., Islam, M. T. “Power of youth crossing the border: Aiming for child labor free society together [Cross-National Workshop].” Online Youth Program 2021, Joint Event of Shapla Neer and Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2021.

Scholarships and Awards：

  • Academic Achievement Award for Outstanding Performance (Undergraduate) 2024, Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship Recipient (2024)
  • Japanese Studies Scholarship Recipient (2022), Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Government Scholarship Recipient for Secondary School Certificate (2017), Ministry of Education, Bangladesh

Language/ Skills：

  • Bengali (Native), English (Fluent), Japanese (Beginner)
  • MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), STATA, SPSS, ArcGIS

Message to Potential Candidates to Ogawa Seminar：

This is Md Efrat Jahan Bhuiyan Shafin, a Bangladeshi master’s student under the supervision of Professor Keiichi Ogawa. I was profoundly inspired by his charismatic teaching style when I was an undergraduate student at the University of Dhaka, and it is indeed a tremendous honor to benefit from Professor Ogawa’s mentorship. As a recipient of the MEXT scholarship, which enables me to pursue higher studies in Japan, I aspire to contribute to the field of international cooperation and development. I want to convey my deep appreciation to my Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis supervisor, Dr. Md Jahangir Alam, from the University of Dhaka (an alumnus of Ogawa-zemi), who greatly encouraged me to seek the guidance of Professor Ogawa for my endeavors in the realm of international development.

Ogawa-zemi diligently equips students to build careers at international organizations through specialized lectures, invaluable experiences, and internship opportunities. Many of its alums hold positions in prominent national and international organizations worldwide. These distinguished alumni frequently share their experiences and offer invaluable insights into the pathways leading to international organizations. The Ogawa-zemi exposes students to cutting-edge research and innovative ideas from a diverse range of faculties and peers, fostering dynamic discussions and collaborative projects that challenge conventional thinking and broaden perspectives. I firmly believe that studying under Professor Ogawa’s tutelage will provide us with a unique environment in which to realize our aspirations and fulfill our commitment to serving humanity worldwide. The seminar experience is exceptionally enriching due to Professor Ogawa’s guidance, diverse experiences, extensive network, and unwavering support.

The Ogawa-zemi community is characterized by its multicultural and multidisciplinary nature, where individuals strive for excellence and mutually encourage one another to excel. If you aspire to turn your dreams into reality, consider joining the Ogawa-zemi community and embarking on this collective learning journey.

Related Projects