KATHMANDU: Japan has extended grant assistance of up to three hundred and sixty five million Japanese Yen equivalent to Rs 407 million to the Government of Nepal for implementing the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Project.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Saigo Masamichi and Sishir Kumar Dhungana, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance signed notes to this effect.

Another set of grant agreements for implementing the program was signed by Ms. ASAKUMA Yumiko, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, and Shreekrishna Nepal, Joint Secretary, the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division of the Ministry of Finance.

A statement issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu said that the JDS grant offers Nepal’s young government officials two years Master’s Degree courses and three years Doctoral level courses in Japanese universities.

After completion of studies the JDS Fellows are expected to engage in formulating and implementing socio-economic development plans and programs and evolve as leaders and change agents for development in their respective countries, the statement said.

The fellows are also expected to contribute towards enhancing bilateral relations between Japan and their respective countries with their knowledge of Japan, according to the statement.

Since 2016 Nepal has had 80 JDS Fellows and 22 government officials are expected to go to Japan in 2020.

Through the grant assistance signed today, up to 22 government officials will be selected as JDS Fellows.