JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship
by Japanese Grant Aid

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Bhutan

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Application

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Applicant Eligibility and Tentative Schedule for application
    - Master course
    - Doctoral course
  3. Research Plan
  4. Download of AG and AD
  5. Supportive videos for the shortlisted candidates by RCSC
  6. Apply Now
  7. English & Math Exam
  8. Promotion Seminars

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) has been started in Bhutan since 2018. Up to the present, total of 43 Fellows (40 Masters and 3 PhD) have been sent to Japan.

JDS is now inviting potential applicants who understand its aims and are interested in 2-year master degree / 3-year PhD program at Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2024-2025.
The program will be instructed in English. The number of dispatches is 9 Masers and 1 PhD per year.

movie-icon This is JDS - Outline of JDS Project

2. Applicant Eligibility and Tentative schedule for application

2-1. Master course

1) Qualifications and Requirements of Applicant

Nationality Citizens of the Kingdom of Bhutan
Age Age of 45 or younger as of 1 April, 2024 (Born on/after 2 April, 1979)
Academic Background
  • Holds a bachelor's degree from universities recognized by the Royal Government of Bhutan or other countries.
Other requirements or desirability of academic background
*Some accepting universities have other requirements or desirable academic background. Check "Accepting University" in "Information of Each Sub-Program / Component" and "University Information" on Application Guidelines.
Work Experience
  • Has 2 years or more of work experiences under the same Parent Agency at the time of RCSC application (such experiences shall be related to applying Sub-Program/Component).
  • Must be a regular (permanent) government employee who is in Professional & Management Category (PMC).
  • Belongs to specified Super structure listed for each Component. Components for 2-1 and 2-2 are also required to belong specified Major Occupational Group*.
    *See "Framework of JDS Bhutan" on Application Guidelines for details.
English Proficiency Has good command of both written and spoken English
Health Condition Has a sound mind and body
Ineligibility A person who falls under the following is NOT eligible to apply.
  • Has awarded or scheduled to receive another scholarship.
  • Has already obtained a master's or higher degree.
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.

Please also check framework and university information.

2) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Oct. 20 - Nov. 17, 2023 JDS Application Closing Date: Nov 17, 2023
 Note: You have to be short-listed after screening by RCSC to apply for JDS.
End of Nov. 2023 Academic aptitude test IELTS and Math tests※1: The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages.
Jan. 2024 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Jan. 2024 Health Checkup The End Jan-health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Thimphu.
End of Jan. - early Feb. 2024 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct their interview exams.
Mar. 2024 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. "Approval letter" will be required※2
Mar. 2024 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified.
Mar.－Apr. 2024 Admission Procedure JICE will support admission for each university.
Apr. - Aug. 2024 Orientations Provided by RCSC, JICA, and JICE
Aug. 2024 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan.
Note:
  • 1. Applicants for Ritsumeikan University are exempted from math test based on the requirement from those universities.
  • 2. Candidates will be required to submit the "Approval Letter" before undergoing the final interview. The letter form will be provided to the candidates who have passed the 2nd selection. At this selection stage, those candidates are close to reaching an acceptable level once they pass the final selection. Therefore, "Approval Letter" is a kind of preliminary confirmation-letter to confirm if their workplace can release the candidates from their work duties keeping their positions in the workplaces while they study in Japan for 2 years.
<Important Notice>
  • All the selection costs will be covered by JDS Project.
  • Limited transportation and accommodation allowance will be provided to candidates coming from regional areas for the selections.
  • 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.

3) Application Deadline

STEP 1
Application to RCSC routed through Parent Agency
By Sep 29, 2023
〇
Shortlist Announcement by RCSC
Oct 19, 2023
STEP 2
Online JDS Application
Oct 20 - Nov 17, 2023
  • * Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.
  • * Those who shortlisted by RCSC only can apply for JDS application.

2-2. Doctoral course

1) Qualifications and Requirements of Applicant

Nationality Citizens of the Kingdom of Bhutan
Age Age of 45 or younger as of April 1, 2024 (Born on/after April 2, 1979)
Academic Background
  • Be a regular (permanent) civil servant
  • Have obtained a master's degree in related fields below (in any country):
    ◼️Economics
    ◼️Engineering
    ◼️Seismology
    ◼️Flood Disaster
    ◼️Data Analytics/mining
*Those who have MA degree in economics in Japan or ex-participants of JICA training are preferable.

* The specialization will depend on the field of study chosen by the applicant and approved by the respective institution, according to the critical needs of the institution and the country.
Work Experience
  • Must be a regular (permanent) government employee.
  • Have served for twice the duration of the LTT (long-term training) to obtain the master's degree.
English Proficiency Has proficiency in English, sufficiently fluent for studying in Japan.
Health Condition Has a sound mind and body
Others
  • Have a recommendation from the supervisor of his/her current duty office.
    *Reference Letter should contain evaluation of applicant's performance at work and relevance of his/her research theme to his/her career.
  • Have a recommendation from the expected academic advisor(s) of the applying university.
  • Have published at least one peer-reviewed article/ paper*.
    * The following applicants are included under the requirement:
    1. ) the article/paper that has been submitted to a journal and is currently being reviewed.
    2. ) an applicant who has a concrete plan to publish a peer-reviewed article in an academic journal in collaboration with prospective academic supervisor in applying university.
Ineligibility
  • Currently awarded or to be awarded a scholarship from other foreign donors.
  • Has already obtained a doctoral degree.
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.

2) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Oct.20 - Dec.15, 2023 JDS Application Closing Date: Dec 15, 2023
 Note: You have to be short-listed after screening by RCSC to apply for JDS.
End of Nov. 2023 Academic aptitude test IELTS test
The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages.
End of Dec. - early Jan. 2024 (if any) 1st Selection Document Screening (if required):
Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Operating Committee members.
Jan. 2024 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Thimphu.
Mar. 2024 2nd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams.
Mar. 2024 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified.
Mar.－Jun. 2024 Examination by University The final successful candidate(s) need to pass entrance examination by the university.
～Jul. 2024 Application Procedure JICE will support application for each university
Apr. - Aug. 2024 Orientations Provided by RCSC, JICA, and JICE
Aug. 2024 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan

3) Application Deadline

STEP 1
Application to RCSC routed through Parent Agency
By Sep 29, 2023
〇
Shortlist Announcement by RCSC
Oct 19, 2023
STEP 2
Online JDS Application
Oct 19 - Dec 15, 2023
  • * Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.
  • * Those who shortlisted by RCSC only can apply for JDS application.

3. 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.
    research
  • 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' and 'Guidelines for Writing a Research Plan' in the Application Guidelines(P6) for more information.

4. Download of Application Guideline and Application Documents

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

download Download
  1. Application Guideline
  2. Prescribed Forms

<Notes> 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)

5. Supportive videos for the shortlisted candidates by RCSC

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

6. Apply Now

STEP 1: Download the Application Guideline and Prescribed Forms (referred to No. 4)

STEP 2: Prepare the required documents
Refer to P.2 in Application Guidelines (Master) and P.5 (PhD), and make sure to prepare all the required documents in appropriate file format.

STEP 3: Access the Online Application System
Complete your application by filling out the necessary information and uploading the required documents.

Master course

APPLY

Doctoral course

APPLY
  • * If you cannot access the online application system, or you have any problem filling out the form, please contact JICE JDS Project Office.
  • * Once you submit your application, you will not be allowed to modify it.

STEP 4: Receive an E-mail
[Submission Succeeded] You will receive a confirmation email with registration No.

[Submission Failed] You will receive an error message - please contact JICE JDS Project Office immediately, and make sure to complete your application before the deadline.

7. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Thimphu in November 2023.

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 over 6.0) and numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the exams.

* Applicants for Ritsumeikan University are exempted from math test based on the requirement from those universities.

8. Promotion Seminars　(for both Masters and Doctors)

Online Seminars:
Sep 5 (Tue), from 11:00 am

In-person Seminars:
Sep 8 (Fri), from 11:00 am at Paro
Sep 15 (Fri), from 11:00 am at Thimphu
Sep 22 (Fri) , from 11:00 am at Punakha

Scan to register
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