JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Cambodia

Top Cambodia › Application

Application

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) is currently offered to 19 countries, of which Cambodia is one of the second oldest recipient countries, and the project was launched in 2000. Today, more than 500 Cambodian fellows have studied in Japan under the JDS program, and graduates are actively working in their fields of expertise in the heart of the country and society of Cambodia.
Application for the academic year 2024-2025 is now open for eligible applicants who subscribe to the scholarship aims and are interested in 2-year master's degree programs (in English) at Japanese universities. 24 scholars will be selected through the selection.

Application deadline: 3:00 p.m. on November 23 (Thu), 2023

2. Download files

We recommend that you first download the "Application Guidelines" and then check out seminar information on this website to prepare your application.

Please also download the following three files at "5. Framework" below.

  • Framework (Study fields, Target Organizations, Universities, etc.)
  • Component information
  • University information

3. Seminar information and reservation

3-1) Application seminar

Please make a reservation below to participate in the sessions. For the online seminars, a Zoom link will be sent to you soon after your registration.

October 7 (Sat) 09:00-11:00 at CJCC Reservation form
October 8 (Sun) 09:00-11:00 Online (Zoom) Reservation form
October 18 (Wed) 09:00-11:00 Online (Zoom) Reservation form

3-2) Consultation Session by JDS alumni (Online)

JDS alumni will be invited to share their experience and advice for your application. Don't miss this opportunity!

  • A Zoom link will be sent to you soon after your registration below.
  • It is advisable to learn about the application requirements and application process through the seminars held by JICE or video tutorials below.
Session Date, Time, Field Registration
Session 1 15:00 - 16:30 October 9 (Mon) Registration
Field of alumni invited:
  • Infrastructure Development
  • Improvement of Education Quality
  • Healthcare and Social Security System
Session 2 9:00 - 10:30 October 10 (Tue) Registration
Field of alumni invited:
  • Private Sector Development
  • Improvement of Administrative Functions
  • Legal and Judicial Development
Session 3 9:00 - 10:30 October 11 (Wed) Registration
Field of alumni invited:
  • Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Improvement of Urban Living Environment
  • Building of International Relations

3-3) Video tutorials

To apply for the JDS, please watch the following videos.

movie-icon Video1 JDS application guidelines (20 min)
movie-icon Video3 How to write a research plan (27 min)
movie-icon Video4 Tips for the selection (20 min)

3-4) Introductory movies by the universities

The host universities will release movies to introduce their university, program, and courses. Take this opportunity to learn more about the university in the field you want to apply for.

The link to access the university video will be sent to you when you request the password to download the application form.

4. Eligibility criteria

Nationality
  • Be a citizens of Cambodia
Age
  • Between 22 and 39 years old as of April 1, 2024
Academic Background
  • Be a holder of bachelor's degree (authorized by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) or other countries)
Work Experience
  • Be a civil servant currently employed by a Target Organization
  • Have at least 2-year full time work experience in the Target Organization as of the application closing date (Contract staff is not eligible)
Note
  • - Probation period can be included in the 2 years,
  • - Contract staff period cannot be included in the 2 years,
  • - Part time and volunteer work cannot be counted as the work experience
English Proficiency
  • Have sufficient English language proficiency
Note
  • - e.g., TOEFL 500-550 / IELTA 5.5 (as a benchmark)
  • - TOEFL ITP test will be arranged for ALL the applicants
Health Condition
  • Be in good physical and mental conditions
Ineligibility
  • A person falls under any of the following items is not eligible
Note
  • - A current or prospected recipient of other scholarships
  • - A holder of Master or higher degree earned abroad under the support of foreign scholarship
  • - Military personnel or those who belong to affiliated organizations
Others
  • JDS Fellows must return to Cambodia upon completing the Master program and resume working at their initial workplace for at least two (2) years to make contribution to the development of Cambodia.

5. Framework of study

The framework of JDS Cambodia consists of Sub-Programs (Priority areas) / "Component (Development issues) as field of study, host universities assigned in each component, and Target Organizations.

5-1) Framework and Target Organizations

5-2) Component and University information

Please download component and university information that you are interested in application.

Sub-Program
(Target Priority Area)
Component
(Development Issues)
Accepting University
Graduate School
Slot Brochure
1. Industrial Development 1-1. Enhancement of Industrial Competitiveness 1-1-1. Infrastructure Development [PDF] Hiroshima University
GS of Advanced Science and Engineering /
GS of Humanities and Social Sciences /
GS of lnnovation and Practice for Smart Society
* See footnote (1) below
2
1-1-2. Private Sector Development [PDF] Kobe University
GS of International Cooperation Studies
2 download
Rikkyo University
GS of Business
2 download
1-1-3. Improvement of Education Quality [PDF] Hiroshima University
GS of Advanced Science and Engineering / GS of Humanities and Social Sciences
* See footnote (1) below
3
1-2. Agriculture and Rural Development [PDF] Kyushu University
GS of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences
2  
2. Better Quality of Life 2-1. Improvement of Urban Living Environment [PDF] Toyo University
GS of Global and Regional Studies
2 download
2-2. Improvement of Healthcare and Social Security System [PDF] Hiroshima University
GS for of Advanced Science and Engineering / GS of Biomedical and Health Sciences / GS of Innovation and Practice for Smart Society
* See footnote (1) below
2 Link
3. Realizing Sustainable Society through Strengthening of Governance 3-1. Improvement of Administrative Functions [PDF] Meiji University
GS of Governance Studies
4 download
3-2. Legal and Judicial Development [PDF] Nagoya University
GS of Law
2 download
3-3. Building of International Relations [PDF] Ritsumeikan University
GS of International Relations
3 download

Note
(1) Newly enrolled students are to be assigned to one of the graduate schools according to their research plan and the academic advisor

6. Recommended preparation for application

  • Download and refer to Application Guidelines 2023 for details.
  • Participate in seminars held by JICE, or view the video tutorials (if you have difficulty in participating in the seminars)
  • Submit one set of the application documents (and Excel Application Form) to JICE JDS project office by the deadline at 3 p.m. on November 23 (Thu), 2023.

7. Selection process

The following is a tentative selection schedule for this year.

Schedule Steps Notes
Sep.25 - Nov.23, 2023 Application  
Early Dec. Academic aptitude test TOEFL-ITP and Math tests
  • Some universities do not require applicants to take the math test. Please check the application guidelines for details.
Late Dec. - Mid Jan., 2024 1st Selection Screening by the Japanese universities
End Jan. - Mid Feb. Health Checkup Arranged in Phnom Penh
Mid Feb. 2nd Selection Interview by the university
Early Mar. 3rd Selection Interview by the Operating Committee
Mid Mar. Approval by the OC  
Mar - Apr Application Procedure JICE will support application for each university
Apr - Jul Pre-Departure English & Academic Training Almost every day
Pre-departure Japanese language training
Jun or Jul Orientations Provided by JICA, MOEYS and JICE
Aug. Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and support before and after the arrival in Japan

8. Research Plan

In the JDS selection, the candidates will be evaluated on their academic abilities enough to pursue the master program in Japan as well as their potential of future contribution to the country. Thus, you are advised to explain that the objective of your research plan be in connection with the development issues under the component for which you are applying, and to rationalize how the study will be addressed in accordance with your career path, corresponding to the current position and responsibility at your workplace.
Moreover, you are also advised to research on the university and its program you are applying to make sure if the curriculums of the university and fields of specialization of faculty members match your research. The following videos may help your further understanding on the research plan and selection.

movie-icon Video3 How to write a research plan (27 min)
movie-icon Video4 Tips for the selection (20 min)

9. Academic aptitude test (English & Math exams)

All qualified applicants must take English proficiency test (ITP-TOEFL) arranged by JICE JDS project office. On the other hand, the math test will be arranged based on request by the university for only the applicants for some designated component (Please refer to the Application Guidelines for further details).

It is highly recommended that applicants take the following practice tests to prepare for the real ones in the selection.

  • TOEFL test
    • It consists of 3 parts with 'Listening Comprehension (50 questions) for about 35 minutes, 'Structure and Written Expression (40 questions) for 25 minutes, and 'Reading Comprehension (50 questions) for 55 minutes
    • A practice test of TOEFL-ITP (provided by ETS)
  • Math test (JDS original)
    • Past math test and its answer
    • 60 minutes will be allocated, and the test consists of 20 questions (Arithmetic operations, Solving fractions, Equations, Inequality, Matrix, Basic quadratic functions, Basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, Basic Integral and Differentiation, etc.)
Go to "Top" page
<