Emerging Filipino leaders get a boost from highly coveted JICA scholarship

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is sending 20 exemplary officials from various Philippine government organizations to pursue graduate studies at top universities in Japan, an experience that will equip them with the knowledge and tools to help address key social and economic development issues back home.

Implemented through the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS Project) as part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) through JICA, JICA supports the human capital development of the Philippine government. Over the past 22 years, the JDS Project has provided full scholarship to over 450 Filipino recipients in some of the top-ranked academic institutions like Hitotsubashi University, International University of Japan, Kobe University, Meiji University, Nagoya University, Rikkyo University, University of Tsukuba, and Yokohama National University.

In the recent send-off ceremony for the 22^nd batch of 20 JDS scholars, which was attended by Philippine government partners and Japan dignitaries, JICA Philippines Chief Representative SAKAMOTO Takema emphasized mutual relationship of the two countries saying, “You have as much to learn from Japan as Japan has to learn from you, and what better way to co-create knowledge than by developing a close relationship with the Japanese people.” SAKAMOTO added, “As Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio stated in his congress speech during his stay in the Philippines last November, it is our responsibility to take the ‘heart-to-heart ties’ established by our predecessors to new heights and pass them on to the next generation, under the slogan of ‘Golden Friendship, Golden Opportunities’.” For his part, NEDA Undersecretary Joseph Capuno expressed gratitude for the continuing cooperation and shared vision of producing leaders who will help build a sustainable, more resilient, and more inclusive socioeconomic landscape in the Philippines.

This year’s JDS Fellows represent government organizations that are at the core of the country’s socioeconomic planning, development, and implementation such as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Commission on Audit (COA), to name a few. To ensure long-term gains for the country, the recipients’ programs will focus on specific components that are relevant to their role and are also aligned with JICA’s priority themes of quality growth and human security.

Upon completion of their master’s degree in the various fields, such as public administration, finance administration and policy, trade and industry, infrastructure development, environmental management, as well as disaster risk reduction and management, the JDS Fellows are expected to return to their respective organizations and take leadership roles in policy-making and implementing development reforms.

The members of the 22^nd batch of JDS Fellows are looking forward to not only learning in a supreme academic environment, but also being exposed to Japan’s culture, customs, and successful socioeconomic policies and programs. Batch representative, Mr. Alvin Caezar Olanday, said, “Through the JDS Program, we look forward to gaining guidance, equipping and mentorship; to the fruitful exchange of our vibrant cultures; and to upholding the strong and long-standing relations between Philippines and Japan.”

Like earlier participants, this year’s scholars hope to contribute to the attainment of the sustainable development goals and the strengthening of the Philippines-Japan bilateral relations.

To know more about the JDS Project, visit https://jds-scholarship.org/.