Scholarship for Japanese Emigrants and their Descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean: Program for Developing Leaders in Nikkei Communities

Transcription

1 Scholarship for Japanese Emigrants and their Descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean: Program for Developing Leaders in Nikkei Communities Application guideline Fiscal Year 2017 July 2016 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

2 FY2017 Application guideline for Scholarship for Japanese Emigrants and their Descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean: Program for Developing Leaders in Nikkei Communities Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereafter referred to as JICA ) is taking applications for the candidates of Scholarship for Japanese Emigrants and their Descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean: Program for Developing Leaders in Nikkei Communities as follows. 1. Objectives/ target This program aims for the capacity development of future leaders of Japanese emigrants and their descendants (Nikkei). JICA will provide financial support namely accommodation expenses, tuition fees etc. for Japanese emigrants and their descendants from Latin America and Caribbean region who have been accepted to study, wishing to study or already studying a Master s degree (Ph.D. for medicine/ dentistry/ veterinary medicine or a pharmacy degree which is part of a six-year undergraduate degree course) in Japan. 2. Target countries (11 countries) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela 3. Application period Monday 25 July 2016 to Friday 23 September 2016 All necessary documents for the application must reach one of the above mentioned eleven JICA overseas offices or The Association of Nikkei and Abroad (if application within Japan) by 23 September (hereafter referred to as JICA s overseas offices and others ). Even the postage stamps are dated within above mentioned application date, the application will not be accepted if the documents arrive after 23 September. 4. Number of accepted applicants Approximately 10 people (within the budget limit) 1

3 5. Area of study Study of medicine/ dentistry/ economy/ law/ informatics/ agriculture/ engineering/ education which contributes to the economic/social development of Nikkei community or the country of residence. (Note 1) According to Japanese Law, those studying medicine or dentistry will not be allowed to engage in medical examination, surgery or clinical trainings unless approved by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. (Note 2) The study area should be a field which can be learned/ researched in Japanese universities. It excludes practical trainings such as learning specific technologies in factories etc. or skill training. (Note 3) Master of Business Administration (MBA) is excluded from the area of study. 6. Eligibility Applicants must fulfill all below requirements. (1) Applicants shall be a Japanese emigrant or his/ her descendants (Nikkei) until the third generation. (2) Age: Applicants shall be less than 40 years old as of 1 April 2017 (born after 2 April 1977). (3) Academic background: Applicants shall be a university graduate (including those who are certain to graduate by March 2017). Priority will be given to those without a Master s or a Ph.D. degree. (4) Acceptance at a graduate school: a) Applicants who have been accepted to study or already studying as a regular student of a postgraduate course or a researcher or a credit-based enrollment student of an undergraduate/ postgraduate course. Or b) Applicants who have been given an informal consent to study as a regular postgraduate student from the university of their choice in Japan if passing the entrance exam. Or applicants have been given an informal consent to study as a researcher etc. if passing an exam for researcher etc. (5) Japanese language: Applicants shall possess Japanese language ability necessary for daily life. (6) If currently working, applicants must either resign or take a leave of absence before entering the university so as to concentrate in academic 2

4 study. (7) During the period of JICA s sponsorship, applicants will only be allowed to work for a paid job if an approval has been given from the Minister of Justice for a Permit to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted within the limit of residential status as a foreign student. (8) Health: Applicants shall be in good health both physically and mentally. (Note 1) Servicemen/ women cannot apply with a status as a military personnel. (Note 2) In principle, applicants cannot apply if they will be receiving a scholarship or financial support from other organizations or will be employed during the period as a student. (Note 3) A researcher refers to a student who has been given an approval to engage in a research of a specific specialized area for a period of a term/ year. This is differentiated from a full-time regular student studying to obtain a degree. 7. Allowance provision period (1) In case it is necessary to study as a non-regular student (researcher, credit-based enrollment student) for a research purpose after arriving in Japan, an allowance will be given up to a maximum period of one year. After that, if the student goes onto studying a regular degree program, an allowance will be given for four years to students studying medical/ dentistry Ph.D. degree. For the others, allowance will be given for two years. However, in case the student is instructed by the university to undertake a Japanese language program prior to a master s/ Ph.D. degree, an allowance will be given during this period up to a maximum of six months. (2) For any expenses occurred outside allowance provision period by JICA, the student will take own responsibility for the payment of necessary expenses. (3) This scholarship program aims to support obtaining an academic degree. Therefore, the scholarship payment will discontinue if the student fails to become a regular student in the second year after studying as a non-regular student in the first year (the allowance will be given during the first year). (4) If a student who is already studying for a postgraduate degree is to receive a scholarship, scholarship will be given only for the duration of the period until obtaining the degree. In other words, if a postgraduate student who is starting a 3

5 second year of the degree is to receive a scholarship, the student will only receive scholarship for the remaining one-year period (three years for a second year medical/ dentistry Ph.D. degree student). (5) There will be no extension of scholarship payment in case the student fails to obtain a degree during the scholarship provision period. 8. Content of allowance and provision method (1) Travel cost: JICA will designate travel itinerary and air route. In principle, JICA will issue a shortest distance air ticket from the international airport of the capital city of residence to Narita airport etc. using the least expensive class. Airport sales tax, air passenger duty or passenger facility charges will be paid by the student him/ herself (excluding below (3) case). (2) Accommodation cost: In accordance with the policy of the Japanese Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology) Scholarships, below monthly allowance (based on the payment of JFY 2014 Japanese Government Scholarship program students) will be paid. However, in principle, the allowance will not be paid if the student takes a leave of absence from university or fails to attend the university on a long-term basis. The payment will be made to a bank account of the student every two months after arrival in Japan. There are special cases for additional allowance in accordance with the Japanese Government Scholarships additional stipend (salary) by region. a) Master s degree students: 144,000 yen b) Medicine/ dentistry/ veterinary medicine or a pharmacy Ph.D. degree which is part of a six-year undergraduate degree course: 145,000 yen c) Researcher/ credit-based enrollment student: 143,000 yen (3) Passenger facility charges etc.: JICA will purchase the air ticket for students to go back home provided that the return date has been approved by JICA. The air ticket includes passenger facility charges and passenger security service charges which will be paid directly to the travel agency. (4) Travel cost within Japan: When entering and leaving Japan, JICA will bear the cost of travel from the international airport in Japan to the university where the students will be studying. When coming to Japan, this cost will be transferred to the bank account of students after arrival in Japan. When returning to the home 4

6 country, this cost will be transferred to the bank account of students before leaving Japan. In case students are already studying a postgraduate course in Japan or staying in Japan, the travel cost will be paid for participating in an orientation session to be held by JICA according to regulation. (5) School expenses: a) Admission fee/ tuition fee: The fees are set by universities or Japanese language education institutions. Students shall complete the admission procedure after the date of receiving the acceptance notification as a scholarship student. Then JICA will pay the actual cost of expenses directly to the university or the Japanese language education institution in principle. In case direct payment is not possible (public universities may request students to make the payment in cash to the university within specified period), the payment will be made through students or students will make an advance payment after which will be paid back by JICA. It should be noted that JICA will bear the cost for learning Japanese language only for the case specified in 7 (1), for studying a master s / Ph.D. degree which requires a certain proficiency in Japanese language. b) Examination fee: In case students are going to sit for an entrance exam after the date of receiving the acceptance notification as a scholarship student, JICA will pay the cost of examination fee. If students are going to sit for an entrance exam for several universities, JICA will only pay the cost of examination fee for the university which students will be studying. (Note) Apart from the above mentioned cost, any other expenses including below will be the responsibility of students. 1. Membership fee for the National Health Insurance 2. Medical fee 3. Short-term stay visa application fee and return air ticket for a trip to Japan in case students need to visit Japan for taking an entrance exam. 9. Taking applications, selection process and result announcement (1) JICA overseas offices and others with the support of Nikkei community organizations will be responsible for taking applications. 5

7 (2) JICA overseas offices and others with the support of Japan Embassy of each country where necessary, will be responsible for interviewing applicants. The language to be used during the interview will be the same as the language of instruction for the postgraduate course of the applicant s choice. During the interview, ensure to explain how you intend to make contribution to the Nikkei community as well as your future plan. (3) JICA overseas offices and others will report the interview result to JICA headquarter. (4) JICA headquarter will compile the reports from overseas offices and others, make the final selection and determine successful candidates. (5) JICA headquarter through JICA overseas offices and others will inform the result to the applicants. 10. Tentative selection schedule Mid October - First selection process: Interview (JICA overseas offices and others, JICA headquarter) End of October - Final selection (JICA Headquarter) Mid November Inform the result to applicants 11. Application procedure Applicants shall submit below documents to the JICA overseas office in the country of residence. The documents shall not be returned to applicants. (1) Application form original 1 copy (Format 1) (2) Photo 1 (to be attached to the application form) (The photo should be taken within the last six months. 4cm x 3cm in size. The photo should be upper half of the body, facing the front, no hat. Please write your name and country of residence at the back of the photo.) (3) Personal statement original 1 copy (Format 2) (4) Medical certificate original 1 copy (Format 3-A or 3-B) Submit either Japanese or English version. * Medical examination can be taken at any medical institution if the above format is used. * Ensure that every item of the form is examined and filled in. The application form will not be accepted if any of the item is unexamined or the form is 6

8 incomplete (be sure to fill in the sections for pre-existing illnesses, X-ray photo number, current medications etc.). (5) Pledge letter original 1 copy (Format 4) (6) Essay original 1 copy (Format 5) Write an essay on How to apply what you have learned/ researched during a postgraduate course for the future of your country or Nikkei community if the applicants are to study in Japan. The essay should be written either in Japanese or the language of instruction of the postgraduate course of your choice. (7) Recommendation letter if applicants belong to a Nikkei organization original 1 copy It is not necessary to submit a recommendation letter if applicants do not belong to any Nikkei organization. However, taking up on this opportunity, it is recommended to make a contact with a nearby Nikkei organization. (8) University transcript original or a notarized certificate 1 copy (9) University graduate certificate, diploma or certificate of expected graduation original or a notarized certificate of either of the above 1 copy (10) Enrollment certificate if applicants are already studying a postgraduate degree original 1 copy (11) Notification of acceptance if applicants have already been accepted to study a postgraduate degree or as a researcher/ a credit-based enrollment student copy of the letter 1 copy (12) Informal consent letter from the professor in charge if applicants have obtained an informal consent to study either as a regular student or as a researcher/ credit-based enrollment student if passing the entrance exam, who are applicable for the above mentioned 6 (4) case original 1 copy (copy of the letter is accepted at the time of application) (13) Certificate of proof of Japanese Language Proficiency Test etc. (submission not necessary if applicants have not taken any public examination) copy of the certificate 1 copy (Note 1) If applicants already reside in Japan at the time of application, specify both details in Japan and home country in the address and telephone/ fax number sections of the above (1) application form. (Note 2) If applicants have any previous experience of study in Japan, specify the details in the 7

9 visit to Japan section of the above (1) application form. Specify the name of the scholarship if the applicants have received any scholarship during this study. (Note 4) Specify the details of research field as indicated in the 5. Area of study. (Note 5) Above mentioned (1), (3) and (5) documents must be written by applicants themselves in Japanese. (Note 6) Application will not be accepted if any of the above mentioned documents from (1) to (6) is incomplete or inaccurately filled in. Application will not be accepted also if the documents arrive after the deadline of 23 September. (Note 7) The information submitted will only be used for the followings: 1. Screening applicants; 2. Necessary procedure with graduate school; 3. Compiling statistics for program accomplishment. 12. Points of concern (1) This scholarship program provides partial financial support to foreign students wishing to study a postgraduate course in Japan privately. The support is given in terms of tuition fees or accommodation expenses as part of necessary expenses for studying abroad. Therefore, applicants themselves shall be responsible for conducting any necessary procedures for application/ contact with a university, obtaining a visa, making travel arrangements/ living arrangements in Japan or others. JICA will neither make accommodation arrangements nor become a guarantor. (2) This scholarship program is implemented with the aim to support obtaining an academic degree. For anyone wishing to conduct a short-term research or training, it is recommended to apply for other training programs for Nikkei descendants. (3) If regular postgraduate course students are required to stay in their home country or a third country for a research purpose, and the stay in the said country exceeds 30 days from the following day of the entry to the country until one day before the departure date, accommodation expenses will not be paid for the 31 st day onwards until one day before the re-entry date to Japan. (4) If students are required to stay in their home country or a third country for personal reasons, accommodation expenses will not be paid from the day of the departure from Japan until one day before the re-entry date to Japan. (5) If applicants are required to travel to Japan to sit for an entrance exam after receiving an acceptance notification as a scholarship student, applicants 8

10 themselves will be responsible for (including payments of necessary cost) making necessary arrangements for applying for a short-term stay visa, return air tickets and others. (6) Scholarship payment will be stopped in case students become applicable for any of the followings. In addition, students must pay back the already paid accommodation expenses starting from the following day of the scholarship payment was stopped. Non-Japanese students must return back to their home country immediately. a) If students violate Japanese law or conduct anything to jeopardize social order. b) If students violate any regulations of the university they are studying. c) If students violate any contents or conditions specified within JICA s scholarship program. d) If students suspend the postgraduate degree course due to personal reasons. e) If students have been found difficult to continue their study due to serious impairments or injury to mental or physical health. f) If any part of the application document is found to be falsified. g) If students fail to make an entry to a master s/ Ph.D. course after one year of scholarship provision. h) If students fail to enroll the university of their choice by the end of the October of the fiscal year of the graduate course is due to start. i) If students receive allowance or financial support equivalent to scholarship from any other source other than JICA (excluding the allowance/ financial support for the exclusive use for research). j) Any other reasons JICA decides unavoidable to stop the scholarship payment. (7) Students shall report the progress of research/ study to JICA every quarter using the designated format. (8) Students shall participate in a seminar for all scholarship program students or a Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad by obtaining approval from the university, unless there are specific reason not to participate. (9) For any inquiries, please contact the JICA overseas office of the country of 9

11 your residence. <Contact information/ application submission for those residing in Japan> The Association of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad has been commissioned by JICA to implement this program. Please contact below for any inquiries. Ms. Fumiko Nakai 2nd Floor, The Association of Nikkei and Abroad, Yokohama International Center, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 3-1, Shinko 2-chome, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture JAPAN TEL: FAX: