Japan extends scholarships for Nepali Govt. officers

Kathmandu, July 8: The Government of Japan has extended grant assistance of Rs. 407 million to the Government of Nepal for implementing the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Project.

Saigo Masamichi, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Sishir Kumar Dhungana, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, signed notes to this effect today

Another set of grant agreements for implementing the program was signed by Asakuma Yumiko, chief rrepresentative of JICA Nepal, and Shreekrishna Nepal, joint secretary, the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division of the Ministry of Finance, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal today.

The JDS grant offers Nepal’s young government officials two years Master’s Degree courses and three years Doctoral level courses in Japanese universities.

After completion of studies the JDS Fellows are expected to engage in formulating and implementing socio-economic development plans and programs and evolve as leaders and change agents for development in their respective countries. The fellows are also expected to contribute towards enhancing bilateral relations between Japan and their respective countries with their knowledge of Japan, read the press release.

Since 2016 Nepal has had 80 JDS Fellows and 22 government officials are expected to go to Japan in 2020. Through the grant assistance signed today, up to 22 government officials will be selected as JDS Fellows.

“Ambassador Saigo would like to point out that the COVID-19 outbreak has made the situation difficult for both the countries. In view of this, Ambassador Saigo hopes that all Nepali JDS Fellows, including alumni, have a good understanding of sanitation and take preventive measures among themselves, their colleagues and families.He is really looking forward to learning about their various contributions for Nepali society by utilizing the experiences they gain in Japan”, the embassy said in the press release.

The Embassy of Japan is confident that the objectives envisaged by the project will be achieved, and contribute towards further strengthening the relationship, friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Nepal, the embassy said.