ISLAMABAD, MAR 11 (DNA) – The Government of Japan has awarded MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) Research Scholarships for Masters/Doctorate degrees for the year of 2017 to seven (7) postgraduate students of Pakistanaiming to provide them with an opportunity to pursue higher studies in their respective fields at the public sectoruniversities in Japan.

The Embassy of Japan organized a pre-departure orientation for seven Pakistani students who have been awarded the MEXT Research Scholarships by the Government of Japan.

Pakistani alumni of the Japanese universities were also invited at the orientation who shared their knowledge and experiences of studying and living in Japan as the young scholarship grantees.

Takashi Kurai, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan,alsohosted a send-off reception at his residence to say his good wishes to the scholarship grantees of year 2017. The Ambassadorcongratulated the scholarship recipients and also expressed his hope that they would come back to Pakistan to utilize the knowledge and expertise that they would acquire in Japan for the future development of Pakistan and that they would always become bridges of friendship between Pakistan and Japan.

Ambassador Kurai said this year (2017) marks the 65^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan and this scholarship program is an important part of the great relationship that Japan shares with Pakistan.

Japan’s MEXT Research Scholarships were launched in 1954 while MEXT Undergraduate Scholarships were introduced in 1958.

Since the first Pakistani scholarship grantee student came to Japan in 1963, a large number of Pakistani students have successfully returned to Pakistan after obtaining their PhD/Master’s degreesin Japan. They are actively working in the academia, public and private sectors and have made significant contributions to the development of Pakistan in various fields as well as promoting the friendly relationship between Pakistan and Japan. The Government of Japan awards graduate and post graduate fully funded scholarships to Pakistani students every year besides many short-term scholarships and training courses round the year=DNA

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