The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS) is launched in Maldives

2020/8/6
     Malé, August 5, 2020 – The Exchange of Note for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) was signed by Her Excellency Keiko Yanai, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, and His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs at a ceremony held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

     The Government of Japan extends to the Government of Maldives 6 fully funded scholarships for Master’s Degree in social science at the top universities in Japan. The program will span for 4 years commencing from April 2021 and each year 6 eligible Maldivians will be selected. Under this scheme, 24 Maldivians would be offered the scholarship. The total value of the grant aid is 128 million Japanese Yen (¥ 128,000,000), which is approximately USD 1.2 million.

     The objective of this scholarship is to support human resource development targeting highly capable young civil servants who are expected to engage in policy formulation and implementation of social and economic development policies in the future. JDS fellows are also expected to contribute to enhancing bilateral relations between the Maldives and Japan, with well-rounded knowledge of Japan. 

     The JDS project has been implemented in 15 partner countries since 1999, and the Maldives is one of the newest members to receive it. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Maldives together with the Ministry of Higher Education of Maldives will implement the project. 

     The Government of Japan remains committed to further strengthening the socio-economic development in the Maldives.