JDS returnees present research findings to higher officials of Government

A special reporting session was held at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo on 24 January where a total of 15 JDS fellows presented their Master thesis findings and action plans following the completion of their two-year study courses in Japan.

Through the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme (JDS), funded by the Government of Japan, facilitated and implemented by JICA, young, talented and capable Lankan Government officials are able to follow higher education opportunities at renowned Japanese Universities.

Every year 15 young public sector officials are selected to follow courses in Japanese Universities for two-year Master’s Degree Scholarship Programs in the fields of Public Policy and Finance, Economics including Development Economics, Business Management, Environmental Management, Disaster Management and Climate Change. At the end of current cooperation period, 120 Government officials are to receive Master Degrees under JDS.

The reporting session was attended by S. Waratani, Head of Economic Cooperation Division of Embassy of Japan, Kiyoshi Amada, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka, W. Perera, Director General of SLIDA, and Senior Professors of the Japanese Universities receiving JDS participants in Japan, such as the University of Tokyo, University of Tsukuba, University of Hiroshima, University of Waseda, Graduate Institute of Policy Studies and International University of Japan. 

Amada, addressing the gathering, noted: “Through the JDS Scholarship scheme it is firmly believed that participants will acquire expert knowledge, build professional networks and on their return take an active role in facilitating social and economic progress in the country. At today’s session, I was really fascinated to listen to the interesting research findings of the JDS fellows. I am now quite confident that these efforts and hard work of yours will be and can be utilised for future policy planning of the Government towards economic growth of Sri Lanka.”

Other than its academic diversity, the JDS program is renowned for its special characteristics, which are incomparable with other similar programs in terms of preparations and amenities provided to its fellows. An assigned agent provides close facilitation at the stage of pre-departure and on-arrival to Japan such as a local orientation session, a farewell reception and identifying suitable accommodation in Japan.

The event was followed by a special dinner reception for all JDS Fellows and officials and visiting University professors hosted by the Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma at his residence.

List of Research Thesis: JDS fellows

The Impacts of Unconditional Cash Transfer Programme (Samurdhi) on Expenditure 

Patterns of Recipient Households in Sri Lanka, 2013

Regional Differences in Labour Force Participation and Job Choice in Sri Lanka, 2000, 2013

Determinants of Children’s Health Practices and Health Outcomes in Sri Lanka, 1993 – 2007

A Sectorial Analysis of Health Equity in Sri Lanka Using Household Survey Data

Returns to Education in Sri Lanka Quantile Regression and Decomposition Analysis

Factors Affecting Transfer of Foreign Training for Executive Public Officers in Sri Lanka

Financial Development and Economic Growth in Sri Lanka

Micro Finance Impact on Women Entrepreneurship Development in Sri Lanka

The Impact of Leaders’ Transformational Leadership on Subordinates’ Work 

Attitudes and Multiple Work-role Performances. Evidence from a Public Sector   Organization in Sri Lanka

A Study of the Impact of Investment Legislation for the Investment Environment in Sri Lanka

A Basic Analysis of University – Industry Collaborations of Innovation System in Sri Lanka to Identify Barriers of Technological Innovation

Modelling of Hydraulic Properties of Slop Ground Based on 1D column Test

Shear Deformation and Failure of Unsaturated Soils in Surface Layer of Slopes

Impact of Grazing Severity on Soil Properties in Upcountry Intermediate Zone of Sri Lanka

Water Budget in High Drought-Borne Area in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka