JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Laos

TopLaos › Application

Application for JDS 2023 is already closed.

Application

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship has been started in Lao P.D.R. since 1999. Up to the present, total of 494 Fellows have been sent to Japan.
JDS is now inviting potential applicants who understand its aims and are interested in 2 year master degree program at Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2024-2025
The program will be instructed in English.
The number of dispatches is 20 per year.

2. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality Citizens of Lao P.D.R.
Age Between 22 and 39 as of April 1st, 2024
(Born on/after April 2nd, 1984 and born on/before April 1st, 2002)
Academic Background
  • Possess a Bachelor Degree from universities authorized by the Government of Lao P.D.R. or other countries.
Work Experience
  • Currently employed in the Target Organization with permanent status.
    (Officials who work in Vientiane Capital and Provincial level department can apply)
  • Have at least 2 (two) years of work experience in the Target Organization, particularly in work relevant to the selected Component, at the time of application.
English Proficiency Have a good command of both written and spoken English.
TOEFL 500, TOEIC 520, IELTS 4.5 or higher is preferable (not required).
*It is highly recommended for the applicants of the University of Tsukuba to obtain TOEIC 520 (≒TOEFL 500) or higher.
Health Condition In good mental and physical health
Ineligibility A person who falls under the following category is NOT eligible to apply
  • Has been awarded or scheduled to receive other scholarship.
  • Has obtained a master's degree in a foreign country under any kind of scholarship.
  • Has studied abroad for more than 1 year under any scholarship and had returned to Lao P.D.R. within the past 2 years (Applicant must have stayed in Lao P.D.R. from 2021 through present.).
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.
Others
  • Successful Candidates are required to submit a pledge on the conditions deemed necessary as scholarship participants under the JDS Project.
  • JDS Fellows are obliged to return and work and serve in their organization at least 4 years (2 times of the studied period) in order to make a contribution to the development of Lao P.D.R. through their work in the Target Organizations, complying with the Act of Pledge required by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

3. Explanatory Meeting

Explanatory Meeting is scheduled to provide more detailed information on JDS Project and how to prepare application documents for prospective applicants as follows:

◆ Vientiane Capital:
  • September 9, (Sat) 14:00~16:00 @ Laotel Hotel
◆ Champasak (Pakse):
  • September 12, (Tue) 14:00~16:00 @ Department of Education and Sports of Champasak province
◆ Savannakhet:
  • September 13, (Wed) 14:30~16:30 @ Department of Education and Sports of Savannakhet province
◆ Luang Prabang:
  • September 20, (Wed) 14:30~16:30 @ Department of Education and Sports of Luang Prabang province
◆ Online:
  • October 20, (Fri) 14:00~15:00 @ online
(◆ Information Video by Accepting Universities)
*This video will be created and recorded by Accepting Universities.
*Details will be announced via our Facebook page.

Please check our Facebook page for the latest information!

Find us on

4. Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: October 13 (Fri), 2023
Practically extended to November 10 (Fri), 2023 (Closed)

Submit all the documents to the JICE JDS Project Office.

Application Deadline is extended for
CP 1-1 Enhancement of Public Administration and Improvement of Legal System (IUJ/ Kyushu University)
CP 2-1 Improvement of Economic Infrastructure (Hiroshima University)
CP 2-2 Economic Policy on Investment / Export Promotion (Ritsumeikan University)
CP 3-1 Agriculture and Rural Development (Kyushu University)
CP 3-2 Natural Environment Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction (University of Tsukuba)
CP 5 Improvement of Health Policy (Nagasaki University)

Application for other CP was closed.

*Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.

5. Selection Process (Tentative)

Schedule Steps Description
Aug 21 - Oct 13, 2023 Application Closing Date: October 13 (Fri), 2023
Practically extended to November 10 (Fri)
To the JICE JDS Project Office
Oct.30 - Nov.22 Preparatory Training for English and Math Preparatory Training for English and Math will be conducted for applicants prior to the test day.
Application is required for the preparatory training. Please read "10. Preparatory Training for English and Math test"
Nov 23 - Nov 26, 2023 Academic aptitude test IELTS and Math tests. The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages
Dec 18 - Jan 12, 2024 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Jan 25- Feb 9, 2024 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Vientiane.
*Applicants from provinces will take health checkup during 2nd selection.
End of Jan, 2024 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct their interview exams.
Mid of Feb, 2024 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct their interview exams.
Early March, 2024 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified
Mar - Apr, 2024 Admission Procedure JICE will support admission for each university
May - Jul, 2024 Orientations Provided by JICA and JICE (Including Academic English & Japanese Training)
Aug, 2024 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan
<Important Notice>
  • All the selection costs will be covered by JDS Project.
  • Limited transportation and accommodation allowance will be provided to candidates coming from provincial areas for the selections.
  • Application Documents will not be returned (Please keep a copy of your documents)
  • Application Documents with false statements or plagiarism will be immediately disqualified
  • A result of each selection will be announced only to successful candidates by JICE JDS Project Office.
  • In principle, reasons of the selection-results will not be disclosed.

6. Download of Application Guideline and Application Documents

Please refer to the Application Guideline and submit a full set of application documents by the deadline.

download Download
(Closed)
  1. Application Guideline
  2. Application Documents

<Note> Password is required to download the documents. If you don't have the password, click the link below the log-in box. A password request form will appear, fill out necessary information, and click "Submit". JICE JDS office will send the password to you by e-mail. (or call JDS if no email)

7. Research Plan

In the JDS selections, each candidate will be evaluated on her/his academic abilities enough to pursue the master program in Japan as well as the potential of the future contribution to the country. Thus, it is highly recommended to explain that the objective of your research plan be in connection with the development issues under applying Component, and to rationalize how the study will be addressed in accordance with the career path, corresponding to the current position and responsibility in the belonging organization.
It is also recommended to study your applying university to make sure if the curriculums of the university and fields of specialization of faculty members are relevant to your research.
Remember that plagiarize from somebody's work or websites are strongly prohibited.
Please refer to 'Tips on Application and Selection (Reference)' and 'Guideline for Writing a Research Plan' in the Application Guideline for more information.

8. Supportive videos the application

9. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Vientiane on November 23 (Thu) - 26 (Sun), 2023.

  • IELTS consists of 4 parts with 'Listening (40 questions)' for about 30 minutes, 'Reading (40 questions)' for 60 minutes, 'Writing (2 tasks)' for 60 minutes, and 'Speaking (3 parts)' for 11-14 minutes.
  • Math test of around 60 minutes consists of Arithmetic operations, Solving fractions, Equations, Inequality, Matrix, Basic quadratic functions, Basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, Basic Integral and Differentiation, etc. ※ Highly recommend you to study past test in advance!

The scores will be reviewed on the 1st selection by the accepting universities. Universities may require the applicants to have good command of English skill (IELTS score of 4.5 or higher) and numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the exams.

* All applicants will take IELTS.
* Applicants for Kyushu Univ. (only GS of Law) and Ritsumeikan Univ. are exempted from the Math test.

10. Preparatory Training for English and Math test

Preparatory training for English and Math will be provided to applicants before the test.

English Training

  • Practice the format and question types for IELTS tests
  • Practice time management and analysis patterns for correct answers

Venue: Vientiane College
Schedule: October 30 - November 22, 17:30 - 19:00 (Mon-Fri)
Application Deadline for English Training: October 13 (Fri), 2023
Applications for the training are now closed.

Please note that training applications will not be accepted even during the additional recruitment period.

The application Form is included in the "Application Documents". Please download it and send it to JICE.

<Notes>
* The online class is available for provincial applicants
* To attend the training, applicants need to take Writing Test and Interview.
* First screening test for early applicants will be conducted on October 12, and second screening test will be conducted on October 19. (online for provincial applicants)

Math Tutoring

  • Review basic math and practice worksheet
  • Solve past exam

Schedule: Weekend in November (TBA)
<Notes>
* No test is required to attend Math training.
* JICE will inform the details later.

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