On Wednesday, March 1, ISET hosted an 'Information Session' with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on "What a Career in ADB Entails". Mr. Toshio Oya, the ADB's Director General of the Budget, Personnel and Management Systems Department, led the session.

The ADB stands for development thinking and practice, spreading information through regional forums and a growing online presence, as well as the publication of specialized papers, serials and books. More than 3,000 staff from 67 different countries with and academic backgrounds come together to work for a common goal regardless of age, gender, religion or disability. The ADB aims to reduce poverty and contributes to the development, cooperation and integration of counties in Asia and the Pacific region and ensures that growth across these countries is sustainable and inclusive.

The ADB offers a range of opportunities to develop professional skills and understanding of its operations, policies and procedures. During the session, Mr. Toshio Oya introduced the Young Professionals Program (YPP), which provides the foundation for a challenging and rewarding professional career in an international development environment. Another career opportunity in the ADB is the Internship Program, a project-oriented learning opportunity for graduate students to gain experience through research assignments based on the ADB’s current operational needs. Mr. Toshio Oya highlighted that the ADB embraces diversity and values a wide spectrum of views. It recruits highly qualified and motivated individuals with a strong academic background (an MA degree at least is necessary) and writing skills who have considerable expertise and experience in their professions. After the session, Mr. Toshio Oya addressed questions from the audience and advised those who want to apply to the ADB to market themselves: “The ADB makes a difference; therefore, candidates should make a difference during their interviews".