Maldivians to Receive Scholarships for Top Japanese Universities

Malé, July 30, 2024 – The Maldives and Japan have signed an agreement for the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS). The signing ceremony featured Her Excellency Mrs. Takeuchi Midori, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, and His Excellency Mr. Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The JDS program offers fully funded scholarships for Maldivians to pursue master's degrees in social sciences at leading universities in Japan. Starting in 2020, the four-year program selects six eligible Maldivians annually. For the Japanese fiscal year 2024, the total grant aid amounts to one hundred and sixty-one million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 1.2 million).

The scholarships aim to support the development of highly capable young civil servants. These individuals are expected to play key roles in the formulation and implementation of social and economic policies in the Maldives. Additionally, JDS fellows will help enhance bilateral relations between Japan and the Maldives through their comprehensive understanding of Japan.

Since 1999, the JDS project has been implemented in 21 partner countries. In the Maldives, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will work with the Ministry of Higher Education to manage the project.