The Government of Japan has finalized 15 prospective public sector officials for the second batch of the second phase under its Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) programme and the Fellows are now ready to leave for Japan to pursue the two-year academic programmes, which will commence in September 2015. 

The second phase, which consists of four consecutive batches, had commenced in 2014, targeting the capacity development of 60 high-calibre public officials who play a leading role in formulating and implementing the national development policy of Sri Lanka. 

The Fellows will be awarded with scholarships to study in a two-year Master’s programme in the fields of ‘public policy and public finance’, ‘economics’, ‘business management’, ‘environmental management’, ‘disaster management’ and ‘climate change’ at prominent universities in japan. 

The 15 Fellows paid a courtesy call on Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma at the embassy prior to their departure for Japan on August 16, 2015 and were warmly welcomed by him. 

Following a briefing on this year’s selection procedure, each fellow described the prospective Master’s degrees in Japan and their aspirations for contributing to Sri Lanka’s future development activities upon the completion of their Master’s programmes. Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Suganuma congratulated the Fellows and emphasized that it was important for them to make the best use of this special opportunity, not only to gain knowledge and experiences but also to explore Japan and its culture. On behalf of the Government of Japan, he wished them all success in their studies and an enjoyable stay in Japan.