DÍLI, July 16, 2020 (TATOLI) – Japan’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Kinefuchi Masami, announced that the ‘International Cultural Exchange Foundation of Japanese oil company Osaka Gas’ (OGFICE) would continue to offer scholarships students.
OGFICE intends to sponsor it’s 200th student by the end of this year, from the faculties of science and technology engineering students from the Timor-Leste’s National University (UNTL).
“OGFICE has supported the scholarship program for UNTL students since 2013. It has already selected 170 students and, by the end of this year, intends to reach 200,” said Kinefuchi Masami, at the UNTL Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology campus, in Hera.
He added that the scholarship program applicants are subjected to a rigorous and thorough selection process.
“With good grades, it will be easier to take advantage of OGFICE scholarships. Therefore, this year, the five departments that make up the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology will still be able to select 30 more students”, he said.
The 30 students of the university institution who will benefit from the scholarships by OGFICE will each receive 500 U.S. dollars, with the annual budget set at 15,000 U.S. dollars.
The Rector of UNTL, Francisco Miguel Martins, reported that in each of the five departments – Geology and Petroleum, Civil Engineering, Electrotechnical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering – six students would be able to enjoy this scholarship.
“Selected students who attended each semester should obtain grades above 2.94. The scholarships offered by OGFICE are intended to promote international exchange between the various Southeast Asian countries, including Timor-Leste. This program aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Japan and Timor-Leste,” Francisco Miguel Martins told reporters in Hera on Wednesday.
Mr. Martins also recalled that a foundation started a scholarship program for the Department of Engineering, Science and Technology in 2012, and 20 students from UNTL were selected, with a budget of 10,000 U.S. dollars.
It is noted that in December 2016, UNTL, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and OGFICE revised the Memorandum of Understanding to increase the number of beneficiaries from 20 to 30. OGFICE decided at the time to fund the program by $15,000 between 2017 and 2020.
Journalist: Tóme Amado
Editor: Agapito dos Santos/Nick Kattle
Translation: Nelia Borges Rosario
