Japan awards MEXT research scholarships to Pakistani students

ISLAMABAD: Japan has awarded prestigious Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) Research Scholarships for Masters/Doctorate degrees to eleven Pakistani students for academic year 2024-25.

The initiative aims to provide the Pakistani students with an opportunity to pursue advanced studies and research in various disciplines at the prominent universities of Japan.

The MEXT research scholarship is the flagship scholarship programme of the Japanese government, operating world over including Pakistan. The scholarship is fully funded by the Japanese government for a Master’s or PhD degree.

Japanese embassy organised a pre-departure orientation for the scholarship grantees. Pakistani alumnus of the Japanese universities shared their knowledge and experience of studying and living in Japan with the new scholarship grantees. They gave some useful pieces of information and advice to the young students who are on their way to various universities in Japan for higher studies.

Japanese Ambassador Wada Mitsuhiro hosted a reception at his residence to honour the members of MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP) as well as to bid farewell to the new scholarship grantees.

Ambassador Wada congratulated the scholarship grantees on their achievement and wished them good luck for their journey to study in the prestigious universities of Japan. He termed the award of scholarships a good opportunity for them not only to acquire knowledge but also to learn Japanese culture and its diverse society.

He strongly recommended to the young scholars to engage in activities outside their university campuses and try to learn Japanese language. “You may experience some challenges after arriving in Japan as life in Japan is quite different from that of Pakistan. But I am sure that the hospitality and friendship of the Japanese people will get you through any adjustments you need to make,” he said.

The Japanese envoy expressed the hope that the scholarship grantees, after completing their studies in Japan, would return with strong knowledge and rich experiences, utilise their skills for the brighter future of Pakistan, and become bridges of friendship between Pakistan and Japan together with other alumnus.

He greatly appreciated the MAAP for its continued efforts and cooperation, and for playing a vital role in strengthening the friendly relations between Pakistan and Japan through the promotion of Japanese educational and cultural activities.

Japanese government’s MEXT Research Scholarships programme was launched in 1954. Since the first Pakistani student went to Japan on scholarship in 1963, up till now a large number of students from across Pakistan have benefited from the scholarship and have returned to Pakistan after obtaining their PhD/Master’s degrees in Japan.

They are actively working in the academia, public and private sectors and have made significant contributions to the development of Pakistan in various fields as well as in strengthening friendly relationship between the two countries.

The Japanese government awards graduate and post-graduate fully-funded scholarships to Pakistani students every year as well as short-term scholarships and training courses round the year.