Higher studies: 10 scholars all set to travel to Japan
The scholars were recently selected to join the latest round of MEXT scholarships.
The scholars were recently selected to join the latest round of MEXT scholarships. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Ten Pakistani students are all set to travel to Japan this year for university education and research after they were awarded scholarships by the Japanese government.
The scholars were recently selected to join the latest round of the MEXT or Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology scholarships, which have been supporting international students to study in Japan since 1954.
On Friday, Japan Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata hosted a reception at his residence and congratulated them with an advice to prepare for the proverbial culture shock.
Japan, he said, is a country where the students will find traditional lifestyles mixed with modern technology.
“Sometimes, you might find difficulties to adapt to a new environment, but I hope the hospitality and friendship of the Japanese people will get you through any adjustments you need to make,” Inomata said.
But it would help the students if they learnt some Japanese, the ambassador said.
The 2014 grantees include nine postgraduate scholars, most of whom are engineers, who will be studying at prestigious universities in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Sendai and Kyoto.
One undergraduate student, Bilal Ahmed Malik, was awarded the MEXT College of Technology scholarship, according to embassy officials.
Muhammad Zubair, one of the PhD grantees, said he was already in contact with his professors in Japan through Skype.
Zubair, who hails from Swat and will be doing his research in electrical engineering, said Japan’s universities are rated among the best globally in engineering and robotics.
This reputation of universities also enticed Rizwan Riaz, currently a lecturer at the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, to apply for a fully-funded MEXT scholarship.
Riaz said Japan’s advancement in the field of engineering and technology makes it a dream destination for research scholars.
The first Japanese scholarship was awarded to a Pakistani student back in 1963. Since then, over 100 MEXT scholars have successfully returned to Pakistan after completing their PhD or masters degrees from Japan, the ambassador said.
“After completing your studies in Japan, you can utilize your skills here in Pakistan,” Inomata said. “We would also appreciate it, if you would join hands with the MEXT Alumni Association in Pakistan to further promote the strong ties between the people of Japan and Pakistan. You are the future.”
The MEXT alumni also attended the reception and exchanged views with the current scholarship recipients.
President of the MEXT Alumni Association Dr Khalid Rashid, who himself went to Japan in 1974 on a MEXT scholarship, said the study in Japan will hopefully have a positive and ever-lasting impact on the careers of the scholars.
He advised them to work hard, study well and adapt to the environment.
The scholarship recipients will be travelling to Japan starting from April.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2014.
Ten Pakistani students are all set to travel to Japan this year for university education and research after they were awarded scholarships by the Japanese government.
The scholars were recently selected to join the latest round of the MEXT or Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology scholarships, which have been supporting international students to study in Japan since 1954.
On Friday, Japan Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata hosted a reception at his residence and congratulated them with an advice to prepare for the proverbial culture shock.
Japan, he said, is a country where the students will find traditional lifestyles mixed with modern technology.
“Sometimes, you might find difficulties to adapt to a new environment, but I hope the hospitality and friendship of the Japanese people will get you through any adjustments you need to make,” Inomata said.
But it would help the students if they learnt some Japanese, the ambassador said.
The 2014 grantees include nine postgraduate scholars, most of whom are engineers, who will be studying at prestigious universities in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Sendai and Kyoto.
One undergraduate student, Bilal Ahmed Malik, was awarded the MEXT College of Technology scholarship, according to embassy officials.
Muhammad Zubair, one of the PhD grantees, said he was already in contact with his professors in Japan through Skype.
Zubair, who hails from Swat and will be doing his research in electrical engineering, said Japan’s universities are rated among the best globally in engineering and robotics.
This reputation of universities also enticed Rizwan Riaz, currently a lecturer at the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, to apply for a fully-funded MEXT scholarship.
Riaz said Japan’s advancement in the field of engineering and technology makes it a dream destination for research scholars.
The first Japanese scholarship was awarded to a Pakistani student back in 1963. Since then, over 100 MEXT scholars have successfully returned to Pakistan after completing their PhD or masters degrees from Japan, the ambassador said.
“After completing your studies in Japan, you can utilize your skills here in Pakistan,” Inomata said. “We would also appreciate it, if you would join hands with the MEXT Alumni Association in Pakistan to further promote the strong ties between the people of Japan and Pakistan. You are the future.”
The MEXT alumni also attended the reception and exchanged views with the current scholarship recipients.
President of the MEXT Alumni Association Dr Khalid Rashid, who himself went to Japan in 1974 on a MEXT scholarship, said the study in Japan will hopefully have a positive and ever-lasting impact on the careers of the scholars.
He advised them to work hard, study well and adapt to the environment.
The scholarship recipients will be travelling to Japan starting from April.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2014.