15 promising public sector officials head to Japan under JDS program

Monday, 29 July 2024 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki, on 26 July hosted a reception to send-off new 15 JDS (the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship) fellows who are heading to Japan as scholarship students next month and extended his heartfelt congratulations to them.

The ceremony was graced by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry who signed the Exchange of Notes on this JDS Program with the Japanese Foreign Minister during his official visit to Japan at the beginning of this month, marking a new milestone for the JDS program.

The JDS program aims to train young promising administrative officers in the public sector at various universities in Japan and seeks to develop their knowledge and skills to qualify them as future national leaders in their respective fields. Under this program, 15 public sector officials will pursue two year Master’s programs commencing this year in areas such as Public Policy, Macroeconomics, Public Finance and Investment Management, Industry Development Policy and Investment Promotion, and Urban and Regional Development.

Since its inception in 2010, JDS program has supported 222 public sector officials from Sri Lanka. It contributes not only to enhancing individual capacities but also to improving institutional capacity of the public sector, thereby supporting healthy and sustainable development of Sri Lanka.

Additionally, JDS fellows are expected to further solidify the foundation of exchange and friendship with Japan, serving as bridges between both countries by utilising their human network developed through academic and social activities while in Japan.

Ambassador Mizukoshi expressed his sincere hope that the 15 new JDS fellows will play indispensable roles in navigating Sri Lanka’s administration towards the full-scale economic growth that they anticipate coming, following the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts in addressing the debt issues and promoting various reforms. He further encouraged them to actively interact with Japan and the Japanese people with his hope that they will become long-lasting leaders promoting brighter and more prosperous bilateral relations in the future.

Following the recent signing of the Exchange of Note between the two Foreign Ministers, the commitment towards JDS was renewed with the hope that it will energise and strengthen the bilateral cooperation.