‘Scholarship recipients should use experience to develop country’
Rasika Somarathna
The Human Resource Development Scholarship recipients should use the
knowledge and experience gained in Japan to effectively contribute
towards the future development efforts after returning to country,
Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo said.
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The 15 public sector officials who
received scholarships from the Japanese government to follow
Masters Degree programmes in Japanese Universities with
Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo prior to their departure. |
Hobo granted 15 scholarships to young public sector officials to
follow a two year Masters Degree course at Japanese Universities on
Monday. Ambassador Hobo was speaking at a reception hosted by him at his
residence in Colombo for the 15 scholars, prior to their departure to
Japan. The Japanese government initiated the Human Resource Development
Scholarship in 2010 with the objective of training Sri Lankan officials
with high potential to effectively contribute to the development efforts
of Sri Lanka.
The scholarship provides opportunities for young public sector
officials to pursue a two-year Masters Degree in Japan in the fields of
Public Policy and Public Finance, Public Administration, Regional
Development and Macro Economics and Development Economics at
International Christian University, Hiroshima University and
International University of Japan. This year Japanese Yen 192 million
(approximately Rs. 245 million) was provided to cover the expenses for
the fouth batch of 15 scholars.
So far, 45 public officials have been awarded this scholarship, while
15 officials from the first batch of scholarship recipients have
successfully completed their Masters Degrees and have returned to Sri
Lanka. The recipients for the scholarship are selected from the
Ministries of Finance and Planning, Public Administration and Home
Affairs, Economic Development and Local Government and Provincial
Councils.
Ambassador Hobo said, “this scholarship is a special opportunity to
gain knowledge and experience in the specialized fields that are highly
in demand in Sri Lanka.
It is important that the scholars make best use of this opportunity
not only for the academic area, but also to explore Japan and its
culture”. He also said Japan gives priority towards human resource
development in Sri Lanka and has therefore continuously provided
technical cooperation through people and has awarded various study and
training opportunities to Sri Lankans.
A representative of the returned fellows from the first batch,
Haputale Divisional Secretary Anura Hemakumara also addressed the new
scholarship recipients giving an insight about his experience in Japan.
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