Islamabad, 22 June 2023 (TDI): The Government of Japan has recently revealed a grant aid worth 315 million Japanese Yen (approximately 2.25 million USD) to support the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The aid was announced during a ceremony held on Thursday, where representatives from both countries signed the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for the program.
Signing of Grant Agreement
During the ceremony, a Grant Agreement (G/A) was signed between officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Pakistan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Pakistan Office. The agreement solidifies the commitment of both nations to the JDS program.
Aim of the JDS Program
The JDS program aims to contribute to the social and economic development of Pakistan by providing government officials with the opportunity to pursue Master’s or Doctoral degrees in Japan. This initiative seeks to enhance their knowledge of public administration while fostering stronger ties between Japan and Pakistan.
Participants of the JDS program will enroll in partner universities in Japan, where they will acquire advanced knowledge in their respective fields and immerse themselves in Japanese culture and traditions.
Success of the JDS Program in Pakistan
Since its launch in Pakistan in 2018, the JDS program has achieved significant milestones. To date, 31 government officials have completed their degrees, while 35 others are currently pursuing their academic goals in Japan. Furthermore, 18 officials are scheduled to be dispatched to Japan in mid-2023.
Signing the Sixth Batch
The recent event marks the signing of the sixth batch of the JDS program in Pakistan. This batch offers a maximum of 17 slots for Master’s degree participants and one slot for Doctoral degree participants. The signing ceremony witnessed the exchange of thoughts and ideas between officials from both countries.
Positive Remarks from Japanese and Pakistani Representatives
Speaking at the ceremony, KINOSHITA Yasumitsu, Chief Representative of the JICA Pakistan Office, highlighted the significance of the JDS program in nurturing talent and encouraging intellectual growth among young government officials. He expressed hope that the skills and knowledge gained through the program would contribute to powerful assistance for the Government of Pakistan.
Also Read: Pakistan-Japan Explores New Opportunities for Collaboration
ITO Takeshi, Charge’d Affaires ad interim of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of social and human capital development in Pakistan. He stated that building the capacity of outstanding civil servants would strengthen public administration and effectively address the development challenges faced by the country.
Continued Friendship Between Japan and Pakistan
Last year, Japan announced a grant aid of 313 million Japanese Yen (approximately 2.4 million USD) for the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program in Pakistan on June 28, 2022, in Islamabad.
The program aimed to enhance the administrative capacity of Pakistani government officials by providing Masters and Doctoral degrees in Japan. This marked the beginning of the second phase, offering 17 Masters and one Doctoral degree.
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