Japan pledges Rs.305 m grant for scholarships

The Government of Japan has selected the 3rd batch of 15 prospective scholars under its Second Phase of Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Program – 2016 which commenced in September 2014, based on the official agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka. 

This year Japan pledges a grant amounting to Japanese Yen 231 million (approximately Rs. 305 million) to cover the cost of the study programs of the 3rd batch of 15 officials in Japan. Since its inception in 2010, 90 public sector officials in Sri Lanka have benefited from JDS program.

The JDS Program aims to train and develop the skills of young executive officers in the public sector to become future national leaders of Sri Lanka, especially in formulating and implementing the national development plans. The Second Phase of JDS program accommodates a total of 60 officials in four batches during the period from 2014 to 2017, providing the opportunity to pursue a 2-year Master’s course in the fields of ‘Public Policy and Public Finance’, ‘Economics’, ‘Business Management’, or ‘Environmental Management, Disaster Management, and Climate Change’ at the universities of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Hitotsubashi University, Hiroshima University, Waseda University, International University of Japan (IUJ), University of Tsukuba, and the University of Tokyo. On successful completion of the study program, the officials will be awarded a MA/MBA in the respective study fields. 

 The signing of the Exchange of Notes for this grant aid scheme took place on 4 July at the Ministry of Finance between Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government of Japan and, Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.