JASTECA to maintain an application bank for AOTS programmes

By Cheranka Mendis

Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA) is now looking at forming an application bank to better represent locals in the 15 management training programmes hosted by the Association of Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) Japan.

JASTECA which is an Alumni Society of AOTS have been promoting Sri Lankans to participate in the world recognised workshop programmes conducted by AOTS on various areas of management for the past few years. The programmes annually held in Japan in the four training locations of AOTS in Tokyo Kensuhu Centre, Yokohama Kensuhu Centre, Chubu Kensuhu Centre and Kansai Kensuhu Centre have attracted participants from all over the world and have trained some 3000 Sri Lankans over the years.

Past President of JASTECA Premlal Fernando speaking to the Daily FT asserted that with the growing demand for participation in the workshops, the Association is now in the process of putting in place an ‘application bank’ so that whenever the AOTS scholarships are announced, a quick and efficient selection could be made and submitted.

Fernando noted that another reason for the bank is to give an opportunity to those who send in applications for participation in programmes that are not considered under their experience. “Sometimes we receive applications from people who are deemed incompetent for a specific programme. However their experience and qualifications might be suitable for them to partake in another programme. The application bank will enable us to sort through and send the correct person for the correct programme as well,” Fernando said.

He also asserted that JASTECA receives information on the programmes offered only two to three weeks prior to the scheduled date at most times, and therefore having an application bank would create efficiency within the system.

The Association has sent batches of 20 people for each programme, he said. The management training programmes includes Programme for business innovation by information technology, programme on corporate management, leadership programme for executives, executive programme on quality management, programme on corporate management for Sri Lanka, programme on design management, practical improvement programme for factories, production management training course, programme for practical operations management, programme for quality management, programme for quality management promotion, programme for quality problem solving, quality control training course, training course on solving human and organisational problems, and training courses on practical solution of quality related problems.

Only 25% of the cost has to be borne by the participant and the rest is financed by the involvement of three parties — the government of Japan, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and large private sector companies in Japan. “The programmes are targeted for developing countries to develop their technical skills which are an important asset in the growth of the country.”

Small, medium and large companies and institutions in the government and private sector executives are eligible for the scholarships. In principle, executives, senior managers or owners of companies are encouraged to partake in the above programmes. JASTECA encourages company sponsorships and maintains that no individual entry will be taken into account unless the application is from an owner of a company.

“It is not just theoretical but also practical guidance you receive at these programmes. Sri Lankans hardly receive the same experience from the programmes conducted here,” Fernando said.

He noted that the Association hopes to engage key persons from the SME sector of the country from which only a low participation has been seen so far.

AOTS will also conduct what is known as ‘self funded’ programmes which are specific programmes catering to the needs of an individual company. The Association could even organise such events in Thailand which would cut down the initial cost in the future. “It is still on the drawing board and we have successfully conducted one programme there already. We hope to bring this into effect soon as this would be a much more cost effective training for company personnel.

Applications can be collected from JASTECA down 22nd Lane, Colombo 3 and should be emailed to [email protected].

 

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