On February 26, 2025, JICA, with the cooperation of 13 ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted the Japan Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Administrators’ Exchange Meeting. This was the first time for JICA to hold an exchange meeting in the form of a reception, but by having a multi-tiered program consisting of 1) an exchange meeting by Ministry of Foreign Affairs region, 2) an exchange meeting by ministry theme, and 3) a general exchange meeting (reception), JICA sought to deepen organic connections and networking between Japanese administrative officials and JDS students.
What is JDS?
JICA has been implementing JDS since FY1999 as a grant aid program under the government’s “100,000 Foreign Students Plan”. To date, JICA has accepted a total of more than 6,300 students from 23 countries for both master’s and doctoral programs in order to nurture outstanding young administrative officials who are expected to become future leaders in the target countries.
Event Details
A total of 241 young administrative officials from 20 countries who are currently studying in Japan as JDS students, as well as officials from 13 Japanese ministries, agencies, and JICA, for a total of 326 participants, facilitated network building.
- regional exchange meetings by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The exchange between JDS students and officials from the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan was conducted in Swahili, Ukrainian, and other languages, providing an opportunity to further promote understanding between Japan and other countries through the exchange of opinions on issues related to Japan and other countries.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regional Exchange Meetings
- Ministry-specific thematic exchange meetings
After the presentations by JDS students, officials from relevant ministries and agencies introduced Japanese case studies and lessons learned, providing an opportunity for government officials to share their knowledge of issues in their countries. The event provided an opportunity for government officials to share their knowledge and experiences with each other. After the presentations, the participants from each country engaged in a lively Q&A session, and the JDS students commented that they were able to learn about the experiences and research of foreign students from other countries as well as Japanese case studies, and that it provided an opportunity to consider how to apply case studies from other countries to their own countries.
Scene of the thematic exchange meeting of each ministry1 Scene of the thematic exchange meeting of each ministry2
General social gathering (get-together)
In his opening remarks, JICA Vice President Miyazaki expressed his expectations for JDS students’ future activities as administrative officers and for strengthening ties with Japan, and offered words of encouragement for the rest of their student lives. The reception began with a toast by Mr. Kusakabe, Deputy Director-General of the International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Active communication among administrative officials transcending national borders took place, and JDS students expressed their gratitude for the networking opportunities with Japanese administrative officials, and expressed their desire to contribute to the development of their home countries and strengthen ties with Japan after returning to their home countries.
Opening remarks by Vice Chancellor Miyazaki JDS exchange students and Vice Chancellor Miyazaki
Exchange between JDS students and Councilor Kusakabe Exchange between JDS students
JICA will continue to support human resource development for young administrative officials who will contribute to policy making and problem solving in social and economic development in their countries and to the development of bilateral relations as a bridge between Japan and Japan. JICA will continue to support human resource development for young government officials who will contribute to policy making and problem solving in social and economic development in their countries and to the development of bilateral relations as a bridge to Japan.
Learn more about the Human Resource Development Scholarship Plan
© Source JICA
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