Reception for students awarded MEXT scholarships

Islamabad

Charge d'Affaires ad interim of Japan to Pakistan, Junya Matsuura, hosted a reception/dinner cum pre-departure orientation for students who have been awarded fully funded Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) scholarships to study in Japan's top universities in their field of choice. The reception was also attended by MEXT alumni and their spouses or parents.

Speaking on the occasion the host congratulated the students on their success and hoped that when they had completed their studies they would come back and utilize the expertise they had acquire in Japan for the future development of Pakistan just like many others before them. "This is a great opportunity for you increase your knowledge and also become bridges of friendship between the people of both our countries," he said. "I wish you a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Japan."

President of the MEXT Alumni Association, Zafar Mahmood, urged the students to go to their institutions with open minds and not only to acquire knowledge but get to know the people; cultural diversity and cuisine of the country that will be their home for the next two years. Going on to speak about bilateral relations with Japan he reminded of the help and assistance Japan has always given to Pakistan, mentioning a few occasions when timely help had arrived. Here he was interrupted by the host who said Japan would never forget how the Pakistani community rallied to help those Japanese who had suffered in the tsunami a few years ago.

After this each of the students said a few words about their feelings and expectations - from feeling excited; to vowing they would work hard and assimilate not only life in their respective universities but in the culturally rich country, to thanking the embassy and all its staff for their help while dealing with the process of awarding the scholarships. "I know ill probably be a little homesick," said twenty two year old Sajal Afzal who is going to do her masters in Food Engineering, "But I am very excited. I have already learned some Japanese and studied the culture and history of the country. I am looking forward to the journey as well as my stay."

For information of those who would like to apply, these scholarships are advertised on the embassy's website and are awarded yearly to anyone who fills the criteria from anywhere in Pakistan, whether male or female.