Japanese aid for women

COMMUNITY Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu has commended Business and Professional Women’s Club of Port Moresby for playing a key role in supporting women and girls to continue their education.
Dame Carol said this while witnessing the signing of an agreement between Japan Papua New Guinea Association (JPNGA) and the Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) for the introduction of new scholarship scheme for young women.
BPW president Michaela Dion and JPNGA president ambassador Katsuo Yamashita signed the agreement week that provides a scholarship for female student who was interested in Japanese culture and in learning the Japanese language.
The four-year scholarship will start next year and there will also be the opportunity for the successful young woman to continue with further study in Japan on completion of her qualification in PNG.
The successful student will undertake a course of study at UPNG, Don Bosco Technological Institute or Pacific Adventist University.
This year, more than 100 female students received BPW scholarships. The club also offers training and a mentor program as well as workshops for women in business.
Heigo Nakafusa, first secretary of the Japanese Embassy who witnessed the signing, said the scholarship enhanced the partnership between the two nations and provided a special opportunity for a young PNG woman.
“It will impact significantly on her education and life outcomes.”
Candidates for the scholarship will be interviewed early next year after submitting an application to the BPW scholarship committee.