Graduation is an ending and beginning! -Messages from JICA scholarship students who completed the master degree at Kyoto Univ.-

From left to right, Pisey-san, JICA staff Yoshida, Indah-san, Ansori-san, Krit-san at Himeji castle (March, 2018)

Name: Ms. THA Pisey (Cambodia)、
Ms. WAHYUNINGTYAS Indah Sri (Indonesia)、
Mr. MUCHTAR Ansori (Indonesia)、
Mr. AROONWATTANASKUL Krit (Thailand)
Name of the course: Innovative Asia*
Graduated Univ.:Graduate school of engineering, Kyoto Univ.
Duration of the course:Sept. 2017 ~ Mar. 2020

On March 23, 2020, when the cherry blossoms were blooming in fine weather, four JICA long-term participants (scholarship students) who belongs to Innovative Asia program have completed the master degree at Kyoto university.

The 2019 degree conferment ceremony was regretfully canceled due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. But the degree conferred on them individually by the graduate school. Here are their impression of research and daily life for two and a half years in Japan and next path after graduation.

(* Innovative Asia is the program to offer opportunities of study and internship in Japan for competent students/graduates from the top level universities in Asian developing/emerging countries. For the details, please see the webpage linked below.)

Ms. WAHYUNINGTYAS Indah Sri ~After graduation, returned to Indonesia and start working at Japanese company~

Holding diploma at Kyoto Univ.

I have just graduated with a Master's Degree from Kyoto University. I was very lucky to be able to study at Kyoto University for 2.5 years (6 months of Research Student and 2 years of Master's Degree). This opportunity would not be possible without support from JICA. JICA with Innovative Asia program had fully supported me during my study and my stay. Being one of JICA Innovative Asia participant, I was very grateful because I could also experience many cultural related programs. I remembered I visited Himeji Castle, Nara, Sharp museum, and many more, even I joined the organic rice planting in Shiga. They were happy memories for me.

I was also thankful to all JICA staff who have supported me from the beginning to the end of the program. They always welcomed me warmly and were ready to help me. It was very meaningful to me. Thank you for the opportunity, I hope I can apply my knowledge and experiences for the good of society.

About the next career, thankfully I will join a Japanese construction company, International Division. I will join the MRT Project in Jakarta and take part as a Design Engineer in the project. This chance is also possible because of the opportunity to study at Kyoto University which is supported by JICA. Therefore, I am grateful for that.

Last but not least, again, thank you for supporting us in pursuing our dreams.

Ms. THA Pisey ~After graduation, start doing an internship in Japan

Holding diploma at Kyoto Univ.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for granting me the priceless opportunity to pursue my graduate studies at Kyoto University, Japan. There are many scholarship programs supported by JICA, I belong to JICA Innovative Asia. Being one of the participants of this program, I am given so many benefits such as monthly allowance, research allowance, annual field trip and so on. I am extremely grateful for all the tremendous supports that JICA has given me since I first arrived in this beautiful country until now.

Residing in this developed country is a precious experience for me. It was my first time staying alone so I needed to do cleaning, cooking, and all sorts of things by myself. However, it was not hard at all to live alone as a woman in a rental apartment since Japan is one of the safest countries in the world and its living condition here is honestly much better than in my home country, Cambodia. More importantly, Japan is the world's most punctual country. Therefore, my life here during these several years has taught me to become more independent, punctual and responsible than I used to be.

I have to admit that my time spent for a half year as a research student plus 2 years as a master's course student at Kyoto University was not without its difficulties and challenges. Fortunately, I have many helpful people around, especially my supervisor. Whenever I faced problems with study/research, they never hesitated to assist me. In addition to my research work at the laboratory, I hung out with friends to explore the stunning beauty of Kyoto where the tree leaves vary seasonally. I sometimes eat out when I do not feel like cooking. I have tried a lot of Japanese foods such as Sushi, Ramen, Tempura, Shabu Shabu, Udon, Gyudon, Miso soup and so on. I like Ramen, Ippudo Ramen the most among them.

After having worked hard during these several years, I successfully obtained a Master's degree of Engineering with fruitful results. Now I am doing an internship at The International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHARM) in Tsukuba city. I will be here until September to join the training programs on practical knowledge and technologies useful to reduce water-related risks. My plan after finishing the internship here at ICHARM is to work at any international water organization so that I could enhance my skills and knowledge of water-related fields internationally. I desire to make a difference for other people in my home country and other places in need of such expertise.

Mr. AROONWATTANASKUL Krit ~After graduation, start working at Japanese company~

Holding diploma at Kyoto Univ.

This is my first time to visit Japan and I fell in love with this country from the first sight. People are extremely polite and friendly. When I got in trouble, they will sincerely help even I can not speak Japanese correctly. The city is clean, convenient and safe. You can go anywhere easily by train and don't have to worry that somebody trying to pickpocket you. Japanese food is always interesting and delicious. I enjoyed every meal that I had here. I stayed in Kyoto which is a wonderful and peaceful place. There are many UNESCO World heritage sites and also lots of things to do; huge department stores, good environmental parks, fantastic museums, incredible architectures, and even lively nightclubs. I was enjoying Kyoto pretty much every day. My life in Japan is the best memorable experience.

After I graduated from Kyoto University, I moved to Chiba for working in a Japanese construction company. I will try to do my best and make the greatest contribution to society.

Lastly, I would like to express my respectful gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which offers me the honorable opportunity to further my study in Japan.

Mr. MUCHTAR Ansori ~After graduation, start working at Japanese company~

Holding diploma at Kyoto Univ.

Pursuing a higher degree in education overseas is one of my dreams that I would like to achieve in my life. Thanks to JICA Innovative-Asia program, I achieved it by graduating from one of the prestigious Universities in Japan, Kyoto University, with Master of Engineering degree. During my study I experienced and enjoyed a lots of things such as student life, Japanese culture introduced by JICA, the beauty of Japanese seasons, Japanese way of life etc. During that time, I decided to stay in japan and started to want to find an employment in Japan which is related with JICA Innovative-Asia program objective. After several attempts, I obtained a job offer from a chemical company based in Osaka. I hope that my knowledge could give a contribution to the society.

Finally, I hope in the future my career could be related between Japan-Indonesia cooperation.


That’s about messages from four participants who have completed their research in Japan and are proceeding to the next step.

Because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, all of us are facing difficulties, such as limitations in activities of daily life and moving, anywhere in the world. Under these circumstances, we would say that it’s necessary for us all to share each experiences globally, to learn each other, and to work together on issues. We hope all of us overcome difficulties in our own place and move forward to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) taking advantage of each expertise in the Post-Corona world. We are looking forward to their further success and hearing good news from them!!!

(YOSHIDA Nozomi, Program Division 1, JICA Kansai)