International University of Japan(IUJ) Showcases FALIA Essay Competition Success Stories
Niigata, Japan – June 16, 2025 – The International University of Japan (IUJ), through a collaboration between the IUJ Research Institute and student leadership councils, hosted a special academic symposium on June 16, 2025 to showcase student research excellence in conjunction with the annual FALIA Essay Competition. The event brought together students, faculty, and industry experts for thought-provoking discussions on global insurance and sustainability topics.
The program opened with a welcome address by Dr. Yingying Zhang, Director of the IUJ Research Institute, who highlighted the importance of academic-industry partnerships in shaping future leaders. Mr. Masayuki Tanaka then delivered a compelling keynote on “Understanding NDCs: How Global Carbon Emissions and ESD Drive the Need for Sustainable Insurance,” setting the intellectual tone for the competition.
The organizing team, led by student representatives Fatima Kamara (IR Council), Pooja Kerur (IM Council), and Amadou Lamin Barrow (IM Council), ensured the event’s smooth execution. Their efforts in coordination and logistics were instrumental in creating an engaging platform for participants.
Past winners Dilrukshi Ban (2024) and Tob Keva Kimenye shared their award-winning essays, offering practical insights into insurance applications in Sri Lanka and Kenya respectively. Their presentations sparked lively discussions among attendees.
With submissions accepted until September 2, 2025, the competition remains open for students to contribute their perspectives on these critical global topics.
For more information, visit https://www.falia.or.jp/essaycompetition/
<Mr. Tanaka delivering the talk>
<Event gathering – group photo>
Research Highlights: 2024 FALIA Essay Competition IUJ Winners
- Unlocking Educational Futures through Life Insurance: A Sri Lankan Perspective, By Dilrukshi Ban (Sri Lanka)
Research Context:
Ban’s award-winning research investigates how Education Investment Life Insurance (EILI) products could enhance access to higher education in Sri Lanka. Conducted during her studies at IUJ – which she describes as “a diverse global learning environment with outstanding, motivating faculty” – the study addresses a critical development challenge.
Key Findings:
- Identified four crucial success factors for EILI adoption:
- Trust in financial institutions (most significant factor)
- Premium affordability
- Product awareness
- Process simplicity
- Demonstrated EILI’s potential as a financial bridge for educational access
- Highlighted the insurance industry’s role in human capital development
Acknowledgments:
Ban expresses gratitude to FALIA for the research platform, IUJ for its academic environment, and JDS for their support throughout her studies.
- Exploring Factors Contributing to the Low Uptake of Life Insurance: A Case of Kenya, By Tob Keva Kimenye (Kenya)
Research Context:
Kimenye’s research, conducted during his IUJ studies in what he calls “a truly global learning hub surrounded by beautiful nature,” examines barriers to life insurance adoption in Kenya – a market with significant untapped potential.
Key Findings:
- Five major deterrents to insurance uptake:
- Low product awareness
- Complex claims processes
- Consumer mistrust of providers
- Coverage limitations
- Financial constraints
- Recommended solutions:
- IT system modernization
- Enhanced customer service
- More accessible product design
- Government intervention to correct market failures
Acknowledgments:
Kimenye thanks FALIA for fostering insurance innovation, IUJ for its academic excellence, and JDS for their educational support.
Competition Impact:
Both studies demonstrate how life insurance products can address critical social challenges in developing economies. The winners credit their IUJ experience for providing the interdisciplinary perspective and research skills that made these insights possible.
<FALIA 2024 First Preize Award giving >
<IUJers at the FALIA Award Event>
