DILI, 16 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The Government of Japan and Timor-Leste exchanged Notes and signed a Grand Aids Agreement on the Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) 2022 with the total grant of YPY 172,000 equivalent to around US$ 1.3 million.
The document was signed between the Ambassador of Japan to Timor – Leste, Masami Kinefuchi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno. A grant Agreement (GA) for the program was also signed between the Minister of Finance, Rui Gomes, and Ko GOTO, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Timor – Leste, office.
Speaking at the agreement ceremony, The Ambassador of Japan in Timor-Leste, KINEFUCHI Masami informed that, so far, more than 2,000 people have been invited to study in Japan, some for a long term and others for a short term, and among them, more than 100 have obtained academic degrees from prominent Japanese graduate universities.
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“The uniqueness of our scholarship program with Timor-Leste lies in our strong support to the Faculty of Engineering of the National University of Timor – Leste (UNTL) and accepting Timorese students at the National Defense Academy of Japan every year. The program we are signing today is called JDS. This program started four years ago and aims to invite future leaders, especially public servants in Timor-Leste to study in Japan and acquire specialized knowledge and skills for policy planning and implementation including the important role in the development of Timor-Leste,’’ The Ambassador of Japan to Timor – Leste Masami Kinefuchi told a reporter at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pantai Kelapa, Dili on tuesday.
The government officers who made it through the selection process will study in Japanese graduate schools for two years and expect to obtain a master’s degree at the end.
The Government of Japan believes this program will be a wonderful opportunity for young Timorese leaders not only to get expertise but also to get connected with the likewise young leaders from other Asian nations studying in Japan and build personal ties with them, which will be a tremendous asset for not only themselves but for this country in the future.
“I hope this program will increase another successful Japanese contribution to Timor-Leste nation building and strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries. As the Ambassador of Japan, I would like to reiterate Japan’s strong commitment to the further development of this country and betterment of the welfare of the people with the spirit of solidarity,” he concluded.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Adalzija Magno said the objective of the JDS program is to support young government officials to obtain planning and implementation skills at the graduate schools in Japanese prominent Universities and to become important leaders of this country in the future.
Minister Magno explained that, since the JDS project (1st period) started in 2018 in Timor – Leste, 29 officials public servant has studied in Japan. Among them, 8 scholars have completed their master‘s degree and under the Notes signed today, another 7 officials will be selected to pursue their studies next year in the area of Public Administration, legal system, health, education, tourism, and environmental development in the University of Doshisha, International University of Japan, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and Nagoya University.
“Thus, on this opportunity on behalf of the Government of Timor – Leste, I thanked the Government of Japan which always support Timor – Leste during this time. We hope that Timor – Leste, and Japan will continue to have strong bilateral cooperation in the future,’’ she concluded.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
