30 Pakistani students awarded Japan’s Mext Research Scholarships

Ambassador gives pre-departure briefing to students, urges them to focus on studies

ISLAMABAD: As many as 30 Pakistani students have been awarded the Japanese government-funded MEXT Research Scholarships for 2019 to continue their higher studies at various top Japanese universities.

In this regard, the Japanese Embassy on Wednesday organised a pre-departure orientation session for the scholarship recipients.

Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda congratulated the students upon their selection for Japan’s prestigious scholarship which will allow them to pursue masters and doctoral degrees at some of the best Japanese universities.

He advised the scholarship recipients to focus on their studies while they are in Japan and ti give second priority to other attractions and temptations.

“You should prepare and try to concentrate on your works and study first and enjoy second. This should be your motto,” the envoy said.

He further stressed that students must get acquainted with the Japanese language, culture and lifestyle to ensure that their stay is comfortable and a success.

Ambassador Matsuda told the students that Japan and Pakistan are committed to each other to increase their economic relations and many Japanese companies have been invited to come and invest in Pakistan.

Similarly, he said that Japan is ready to facilitate Pakistani companies to do business in Japan and this would provide job opportunities for students in their specialized fields.

“As most of you are going to study science and technology in Japanese universities; I must say science and technology is a keyword for the future, the future of Pakistan and the future of Japan, and the future of the world,” Matsuda emphasised.

He disclosed that the scholarship is offered to international students by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) who wish to study in graduate courses at Japanese universities as research students.

Students can apply for the scholarships either through the Japanese embassy in their respective country or by directly corresponding with the relevant professor of the university in Japan.

Pakistani students selected for the scholarship in 2019 had directly applied to the universities in Japan and upon recommendation from their respective professors, were awarded the MEXT research scholarship.

Earlier, former MEXT scholar and NUST Robotics department head Dr Yasar Ayaz shared his knowledge about life in Japan and of studying there with other young scholarship awardees.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2019.