Activities in the Philippines

i. Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Group and Region Focus)

Renaming of Training and Dialogue Program to Knowledge Co-Creation Program

‘JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP)' as a New Start

In the Development Cooperation Charter which was released from the Japanese Cabinet on February 2015, it is clearly pointed out that "In its development cooperation, Japan has maintained the spirit of jointly creating things that suit partner countries while respecting ownership, intentions and intrinsic characteristics of the country concerned based on a field-oriented approach through dialogue and collaboration. It has also maintained the approach of building reciprocal relationships with developing countries in which both sides learn from each other and grow and develop together." We believe that this ‘Knowledge Co-Creation Program' will serve as a center of mutual learning process.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) uses an array of development assistance schemes to meet diverse needs of developing countries around the world. As one of the schemes, technical cooperation contributes human resource development through utilizing Japan's technology, skills and knowledge. JICA's Training and Dialogue Programs are a form of technical cooperation that JICA carries out in Japan. Much of the knowledge accumulated in Japanese society can be understood only by actually visiting Japan. An example of this is the unique way of forming social systems and organizational structures, the so-called "Japanese model." If "seeing is believing," then experiencing is understanding. By actually visiting Japan, people from developing countries come to a setting surrounded by Japanese society and its organizations, where they can discuss the hardships in their home countries and develop an understanding of social conditions and values very different from their own. This experience imparts valuable knowledge that could be obtained in no other way.

In addition to providing unique knowledge, this sort of technical cooperation stimulates people to draw inferences on their own, which is crucial element for human resource development along with other assistance schemes. JICA's Training and Dialogue Programs are therefore a major component of Japan's international cooperation programs, receiving nearly 10 thousand participants each year. The majority of the participants are affiliated with a governmental or public organization, though the number of people from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been increasing in recent years.

Japan has enlisted cooperation from a wide range of levels including national and local governments, universities, non-profit organizations, private companies and NGOs, creating a system capable of responding to any sort of need from advanced technology to expertise in vitalizing villages. In terms of scale and available resources, there is no other program in the world that can compare to JICA's Training and Dialogue Programs, which have become one of the cornerstones of Japan's international cooperation.

JICA Philippines’ Focal Points for KCCP-Group and Region Focus:

1. For Short-term Technical Training: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - Foreign Scholarship & Training Program (FSTP) Unit
   Contact Persons: Ms. Luzviminda Rubi/ Mr. Ian Bhari Nomio
   Telephone No: +63-02-88179095
2. For Masters/ Ph.D Courses: Commission on Higher Education (CHED) - International Affairs Service (IAS)
   Contact Person: Ms. Nicolle Loterte
   Telephone No: +63-02-84410750

*Interested applicants should contact the Main Focal Points to confirm requirements and deadlines

Invitation and Selection Process

1. JICA Domestic Center will send the General Information (GI) of the course to JICA Philippines.
2. JICA Philippines will send the GI to Focal Points together with the list of target agencies.
3. Focal Points will send the Official Invitation and GI to target agencies.
4. Target agencies will forward ALL application documents to Focal Points for initial screening.
5. JICA Philippines and Focal Points will interview applicants after the initial screening.
6. Focal Points will endorse the application documents to JICA Philippines.
7. JICA Philippines will forward the application documents to JICA Domestic Centers for final selection.
8. JICA Domestic Offices will send the Acceptance Notice to JICA Philippines.
9. JICA Philippines will notify the Focal Points of the result of selection.
10. Focal Points will notify the applicant's agency.
    For courses with Japan Programs:
11. Accepted participants will process their travel documents (travel authority, official passport and note verbale)
12. Accepted participants will attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar at JICA Philippines.
13. Accepted participants will process their Japanese Visa and Travel Tax Exemption as well as obtain their Airplane Tickets.

Who are qualified to apply?

• Officers and employees nominated by the head of department/ agency, institution, university, non-government organization and private enterprise (depending on the target organization identified in the GI)
• Must have rendered at least two years of service in the government at the time of nomination
• Must hold a permanent appointment at the organization nominating him/ her
• Must have obtained at least a very satisfactory performance rating for two consecutive periods preceding the nomination
• Must have a college degree and/ or sufficient demonstrated ability and experience related/ relevant to the course applied for
• Must have no pending administrative and/ or criminal case
• Must have no pending nomination for scholarship in another program/ course
• Must have already rendered the required service obligation for a scholarship previously enjoyed
• Must meet the position level, age, education and experience required and specified by the donor country/ organization/ course
• Must be physically fit to travel and undergo training in Japan
• Must possess a valid passport

Terms and Coverage

• Nominating Agency/Institute
  - Shoulders the expenses incurred by the nominee in the course of his/her application which includes cost of medical examination, domestic travel and expenses incurred in the submission of documents and interview. Once accepted, these will include fees for passport and visa applications, if applicable.
• JICA
  - Shoulders the scholars'/ trainees' roundtrip international airfare, accommodation and allowance in Japan.

Basic Documentary Requirements to be submitted in ONE SET to TESDA FSTP on or before the DEADLINE arranged by TESDA

1. Nomination Letter signed by the Department Secretary or Head of Agency/ University/ Entity or duly authorized official, addressed to;
   HON. SUHARTO T. MANGUDADATU, Ph.D.
   Director General (Secretary)
   Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
   East Service Road, South Luzon Expressway, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
   ATTENTION: Foreign Scholarship and Training Program Unit
   
   Note: For applicants from Local Government Units (LGUs), after the endorsement of the Local Chief Executive (LCE), the mandatory procedure is the issuance of the DILG Provincial and Regional endorsement (by the DILG Provincial and Regional Director) of a potential participant/nominee to the DILG CLGSC-LGA office for proper assessment, evaluation and endorsement.
   
   Contact Person: Mr. Albert S. Ual, DILG-CLGS Secretariat/ Scholarship Coordinator
   Contact numbers: +63-02-8634-1912 or 0917-4510963


2. Nominee Data Sheet showcasing a brief and relevant background of the trainee
   Template for Nominee Data Sheet (WORD/15.3KB)
3. Personal Data Sheet to include list of training programs and seminars attended
4. Statement of PRESENT Actual Duties and Responsibilities (including past involvement) RELEVANT to the course/ program and signed by the immediate superior
5. Certification from the Head/ Manager of the Human Resource Department stating;
   • The said applicant has no pending administrative or criminal case;
   • The applicant has no pending nomination in another course;
   • The applicant has rendered the required service obligation for a scholarship previously enjoyed;
   • The applicant's PES ratings for the two immediate rating periods were at least Very Satisfactory;
   • The applicant is physically and mentally fit to travel and attend training abroad; and
   • The applicant shall not withdraw from the nomination and once accepted shall complete the course and not be allowed to cancel or terminate the scholarship/training without justifiable reason and without giving prior notice to and getting the approval from the donor institution, TESDA and this agency.
   Template of Certificate (WORD/30.5KB)


6. Diploma and Transcript of Record
7. Certificate of Health from physician stating that the nominee is FIT TO TRAVEL AND UNDERGO TRAINING IN JAPAN with attached results of laboratory tests
   Template of Certificate of Health (PDF/123KB)
8. JICA Application Form with 45mm x 35mm photos on white background (to be strictly followed) (Handwritten application will not be accepted)
   • Blank Application Form for the JICA KCCP-GRF (WORD/182KB)
   • Sample Accomplished Application Form (PDF/830KB)
9. Photocopy of Passsport and Company ID
10. Country/ Job/ Inception/ Supplemental Report, Questionnaire, etc (if required by the course)
    Please see the General Information (GI) of the course that TESDA will provide to the Human Resource Division of the invited agencies for the format of the abovementioned reports and other details of the training.

• Steps for Trainees (PDF/321KB)
• List of Training Courses under Group Region (GRF) 2024 (PDF/499KB)
• Photo Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are JICA's training programs open to non-government employees?

A1. Majority of JICA's training programs are for government employees only. However, there are few courses wherein NGOs and private sector can also apply. Call JICA's Training Program Section at 02-8889-7119 to inquire on the target agencies of the courses.

Q2. Is JICA strict on the age requirement for training and dialogue programs?

A2. For training programs, JICA can accept applications from those who are 5 years below/above the age requirement provided that there is a justification from the nominating agency.

Q3. Does JICA allow trainees to travel to Japan using their Regular Passports?

A3. ALL Government employees are required by JICA to use their Official Passports when travelling to Japan since the training is considered an Official Trip. Only those who are contractual, NGO staff and private company employees are allowed to use their Regular Passports. This is in accordance with the Government of the Philippines' guidelines.

Q4. Does TESDA accept late applications?

A4. TESDA will set its own deadline earlier than that stated in the GI. Extension of deadline by TESDA depends on whether the JICA Center in-charge is still willing to extend the deadline for the application documents. Call TESDA at 02-88179095 or JICA's Training Program Section at 02-8889-7119 to inquire on possible extension.

Q5. How many days does it take to process Japan visa?

A5. Visa processing takes 5 workings days and there is no assurance that a JICA trainee can be issued a visa.