The first doctoral scholar under JDS (Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid) in Tajikistan has been appointed, according to JICA Tajikistan.

JDS, which has offered master's courses at Japanese universities since 2008, newly launched a PhD program in autumn 2016.  Only the government officials who graduated from master’s courses under JDS can apply for this program.  An applicant, who gained master’s degree in 2011 in Japan as a JDS scholar, successfully passed the interview conducted by JDS Operating Committee consisting of representatives of both Tajik and Japanese governments, and was entitled to apply to a university as a JDS doctoral candidate.  In January 2017, his application was reportedly accepted by Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies in Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.  The scholar departed for Japan this month to study economic issues in Tajikistan as a doctoral scholar at the university for three years.

The scholar reported his plan and expected results of his research to the Operating Committee members at the JDS Reporting Session in February.

Ms. Bibiosiya Ayubi (deputy director of the Agency of the Civil Service under the President of Tajikistan) reportedly encouraged the scholar to achieve his research goal and contribute to the development of Tajikistan.

The objectives of JDS are to support human resources development of Tajikistan targeting young government officials and to strengthen the bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Japan.  This project is characterized by its elaborated framework which designates the fields of research and graduate schools focusing on important development issues in Tajikistan.  JDS scholars are expected to be leaders of the country, and to engage in formulating and implementing social and economic development policies using their gained academic knowledge and skills.

In 2016, the number of scholars for JDS master’s program increased from five to seven per year, and one slot for the doctoral program was newly added after change of the project framework.

As of February 2017, 38 scholars were dispatched to Japan in total under this project. Many of the JDS scholars who finished their studies in Japan were promoted to higher positions and play the key roles of the government.

Only government officials who belong to designated governmental organizations can apply for this scholarship.  Apart from JDS, the government of Japan provides several scholarship and training programs in Tajikistan such as Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarships and JICA short-term trainings.