In a recent ceremony held at the Ambassador’s Residence, the send-off event for the 24th cohort of Master’s and 9th cohort of Doctoral students under the JDS scholarship took place. This program, known as the “JDS scholarship students” initiative, offers a unique opportunity for Mongolian students to pursue higher education in Japan.
Since its inception in 1999, the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) aims to cultivate future leaders. The program focuses on equipping students with knowledge and skills to contribute to their home countries’ socio-economic growth after graduation.
The JDS scholarship students program operates across more than 20 Southeast Asian nations. So far, over 6,000 young people have studied in Japan through this scholarship. In Mongolia alone, 432 students have benefited since the program started in 2001. Among them, 389 graduates from Master’s and seven from Doctoral programs have taken positions in various sectors, including government agencies and the Bank of Mongolia.
This year, 14 students will join the 24th cohort of Master’s programs under the JDS scholarship students initiative. They will study at prestigious universities, such as Saitama University, International University of Japan, Meiji University, and Hiroshima University. Other students will attend the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Rikkyo University, and Nagoya University. Meanwhile, the 9th cohort for Doctoral studies includes one student enrolled at the University of Tsukuba.
JDS scholarship students are expected to return home after completing their studies. Their expertise will help build a stronger workforce and foster better mutual understanding between Japan and Mongolia. Ultimately, the program strengthens friendly relations between the two countries while supporting national development goals.
Through this initiative, the JDS scholarship students not only gain advanced education but also become vital contributors to their societies. By investing in these future leaders, the program reinforces ties and promotes collaboration between Japan and Mongolia for years to come.
