Japan gives scholarships

FIVE Papua New Guineans have been awarded scholarships to study in Japanese universities.
A farewell ceremony was held for the five recipients of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho Mext) scholarship at the Japanese embassy on Friday.
They would depart for Japan in the next two weeks. Recipient Rayvan Nigs will attend the Osaka Elecro-Communication University graduate school of Engineering; Elijah Numoi to Toyama University school of Economics; Belmain Topul to Shizuoka University faculty of Agriculture department of bioresearch sciences; Elijah Damke to Tohoku University graduate school of Engineering; and Melanie Dirua will attend the University of Tsukuba graduate school of Business Science, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Japanese ambassador Nobuyuki Watanabe said: “All over the world, the global ratio is more than 800 times from the application stage.
“It is a very competitive scholarship to attain. This year, from PNG, five recipients were chosen through a stringent selection process.
“Applications were screened five times before we had the final interviews with them, he said.
Only female participant Dirua told The National: “It was a stressful process for me.
“I applied the year before and didn’t make it.
“And then I applied again. It is a dream come true.
Damke said: “When I did not get a job after engineering school, Bank South Pacific (Financial Group Limited) took me in and taught me leadership skills.
I gained confidence to apply for this scholarship. I can’t wait to see Japan!”
Watanabe told the recipients: “Remember, you are part of the human resources of PNG who will be responsible for our bilateral relations for now and in the future.”
He urged them to enjoy the four seasons of Japan and the beauty of the cherry blossoms (Sakura) in April, food culture and history as it will be an experience that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.