The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship was launched in Maldives in 2020. Up to the present, total of 21 Fellows have been dispatched to Japan.
JDS is now recruiting the applicants for the academic year 2025-2026, who understand its aims and are interested in a 2-year master's degree program at Japanese accepting universities.
The program will be instructed in English.
The number of accepted scholars is 6 per year (2 per university).
| Nationality | Citizens of the Republic of Maldives |
| Age |
Between 22 and 39 years old as of 1st April 2025 (Born on/after 2nd April 1985 and born on/before 1st April 2003) |
| Academic Background | Hold a Bachelor's Degree from universities authorized by the Government of Maldives or other countries, recognized by the Maldives Qualification Authority, at the time of application |
| Occupation |
Civil Servant (List) Permanent Staff at Independent Institutions, Court and its related organizations, and Legislature (List) Please check if your workplace is in the list of Target Organizations. |
| Work Experience |
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| English Proficiency | Have a good command of both written and spoken English. ※JDS office will arrange IELTS test for those who do not have valid certificate. Please note that these IELTS results will be used solely for the JDS application purposes, and candidates will not receive a copy of the certificate. |
| Health Condition | Mentally and physically in good health. |
| Others | Must understand the objective of JDS project well, and have a strong willingness to work for the development of Maldives and contribute to the friendly relations between Maldives and Japan after their return |
| Ineligibility |
A person corresponds to the followings is not eligible to apply.
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In this session, JICE will explain the overview of JDS and how to apply. We will also invite JDS Alumni and Fellows who are currently studying in Japan to share their experience with you.
| Date | Time | Venue | Contents | Registration |
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Individual consultation is available upon request: https://forms.office.com/r/YDkivjqzhc
A seminar on writing a research plan will be conducted by a lecturer from Villa College.
| Date | Time | Venue | Registration |
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Villa College QI Campus & Zoom (Online) |
If you apply for the International University of Japan, please check the past math test papers from here. A special seminar will be conducted in November/December to help applicants prepare for the math exam.
Submit your application through Online Application System.
For more details, refer to "Apply Now" and watch 5-minute "How to Apply" video tutorial.
| Schedule | Steps | Description |
| 07 Oct - 24 Nov 2024 | Application |
Closing Date: Extended until 4:00 p.m. on 15 December (Sun) 2024 for International University of Japan (IUJ) and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) ONLY. Further details → Application Guidelines P.6 "How to Apply" |
| Dec 2024/Jan 2025 | Academic aptitude test |
English (IELTS) and Math tests: The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages. For more details, please see "6. English & Math Exam" below. |
| Jan 2025 | 1st Selection |
Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities. Those who passed the 1st selection will proceed to the 2nd selection. |
| Early - Mid February | 2nd Selection |
Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct their interview exams. Those who passed the 2nd selection will proceed to the 3rd selection. |
| Mid Feb | Health Checkup | The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Male' |
| Late Feb | 3rd Selection | Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. |
| Late Feb | Approval by the OC | Successful candidates will be approved and notified |
| Apr - Jul | Admission Procedure | JICE will support admission procedures for each university. |
| May- Jul | Japanese Language Class | Provided to successful candidates. |
| May-Jul | Orientations | Provided by JICA and JICE (including Japanese Language Course). |
| Aug | Departure for Japan | JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan. |
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 your 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 plagiarizing from somebody's work or websites are strongly prohibited.
Please refer to 'Tips on Application and Selection' and 'Guideline for Writing a Research Plan' in the Application Guideline (downloadable from this website) for more information.
Interview with JDS 1st batch Fellows
All qualified applicants, except those who have a valid IETLS certificate, will be required to take IELTS at Villa College QI Campus in Male'.
JICE JDS Project Office will notify you of the date of IELTS Academic Test after your application submission is completed. (Check https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/maldives for more details.)
Math test will be conducted for the applicants for International University of Japan. Applicants for Ritsumeikan University and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University will be exempted from the Math test.
Math preparatory seminars will be conducted for applicants both in person and online, where a specialized lecturer will analyze and explain past math exam questions.
For the Math test conducted in Maldives in 2024, use of calculators is NOT allowed.