• Introduction
• Qualifications and Requirements
• Field of Study, Common Agenda for Each Field of Study and University
• Application Procedure
• Selection Procedure
• Where to get Application Form
• Download Application Forms
• Tentative Schedule of JDS Program
• Coming Events: Explanatory Meeting
• Inquiry

JDS (the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship) was established by the Government of Lao P.D.R. in the fiscal year 2000-2001 utilizing Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA).

We are announcing the 9th year program for JDS 2008-2009. The objective of the JDS Program is to provide the citizens of the Lao P.D.R. with opportunities for academic research at Japanese higher educational institutions (hereinafter referred to as "universities") in order to support the Government of the Lao P.D.R. in its efforts to facilitate its own plans for human resources development. And thereby it extends and enhances the bilateral relationship between the Lao P.D.R. and Japan.

The JDS Program targets young government officials, researchers and others with the potential to play leadership roles in their specialties after their return to the Lao P.D.R.

For the JDS project in the Lao P.D.R., the "Common Agenda" has been settled for each field. Every applicant is expected to share his/her own view of how the knowledge acquired in Japan will be utilized to the development of the Lao P.D.R., by tackling one of the Common Agenda for the applying field of study. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to relate the Common Agenda and the research plan. Applicant's perspective for future career plan shall be one of the important factors to be considered for the selection of JDS project.

Under this program, 25 fellows will be selected to study at Japanese universities for Master's degree.

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1. Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of the Lao P.D.R.
2. Age: Between the ages of 22 and 38 (as of April 1st, 2008). Born on/after April 2nd, 1969 and on/before April 1st, 1986.
3. Academic background: Completed at least 15 years or more of school education and graduated from a university or higher educational institution.
   * For those who are applying for the field of Law of Yokohama National University, it is required to obtain a degree of Bachelor in Law.
   * For those who are applying for the field of Public Policy / Public Administration, Agriculture / Rural Development, Education / Educational Administration and Engineering, it is required to be permanent-base government officials.
   * For those who are applying for the field of Business Administration, it is required to have working experience for more than 2 years.
4. English Proficiency: Over TOEFL550 (approximately equivalent to IELTS 6.5) level of high English Proficiency is required for the lecture purpose prior to enter into Japanese university.
5. Health: Applicants must be in good mental and physical health.

1. Applicant who is currently receiving (or is scheduled to receive) another scholarship such as the Government of the Lao P.D.R. scholarship, a scholarship from other country, a scholarship from a private-sector organization, etc. shall NOT be eligible for selection as JDS fellow.
2. Applicant who studied abroad for more than 1 year under other scholarship and returned to Laos during past 2 years (at least stay in Laos from September 2005 till current), JDS Project would NOT accept them.
3. Military personnel and military civilian employees registered on the active list are NOT eligible to apply for admission. Personnel on temporary leave from the active list shall also be INELIGIBLE for admission. Personnel in compulsory military service are eligible.
4. The scholarships will be canceled if JDS fellows fail to attend the preparatory training or fail to arrive in Japan by the appointed date.
5. Applicants should return to the Lao P.D.R. to contribute to the development of the Lao P.D.R. with acquired knowledge and skills after completing their study in Japanese universities. The Government of the Lao P.D.R. will have the fellows sign two kinds of pledge to follow the conditions deemed necessary as scholarship fellows under the JDS Program. If a fellow violates any article of the agreement, the scholarship will be canceled and other necessary steps will be taken.

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<Law>

・Developing Legal Infrastructure for Attractive Market and Active Industries

Kobe University[PDF : 153KB]
http://www.gsics.kobe-u.ac.jp/index.html

Yokohama National University[PDF : 112KB]
http://www.igss.ynu.ac.jp/lpp/index.htm

<Public Policy / Public Administration>

・Advancing New Administrative Systems
・Planning and Management for Better Local Governance

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University[PDF : 145KB]
http://www.apu.ac.jp/graduate/modules/gsa/
index.php?id=37

Keio University[PDF : 142KB]
http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/prospective/aboutmag/
index.html.en

<Economics>

・Ensuring Balanced and Stable Fiscal Management

Kobe University[PDF : 153KB]
http://www.gsics.kobe-u.ac.jp/index.html

International University of Japan[PDF : 132KB]
http://gsir.iuj.ac.jp/idp/index.html

<Business Administration>

・Providing Attractive Business Environment and Active Industries

International University of Japan[PDF : 153KB]
http://ibs.iuj.ac.jp/

<International Relations>

・Building Up Closer Networks with Asian Countries

Ritsumeikan University[PDF : 139KB]
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/international_programs/
grad_programs/gcp/index.shtml

<Agriculture / Rural Development>

・Rural Development and Sustainable Resource Management

Kyusyu University[PDF : 168KB]
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/english/index.php

<Education / Educational Administration>

・Delivering Better Educational Service

University of Tsukuba[PDF : 131KB]
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/edu_college.html

Hiroshima University[PDF : 215KB]
http://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/idec/index.html

<Engineering>

・Planning Socioeconomic Infrastructure and Effective Application of Existing Infrastructure

Ritsumeikan University[PDF : 158KB]
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/se/index-e.html

1. Degree to be obtained: Master's degree (2 or 2.5 year courses)
2. Language at the University
   mainly in English
   (a certain level of Japanese language knowledge will be required.)

Remark:

• Referring the list of Universities, carefully consider your study theme/subjects at your desired University and fill out the form.
• It is strongly recommended to relate the Common Agenda and the research plan.

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1. Place to submit the application form:
   • For Open Category Applicants
     JICE JDS Project Office, the Lao P.D.R.
   • For Government Recommendation Applicants
     Department of Higher Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education
2. Deadline
• For Open Category Applicants
  7th September 2007 (Fri.) 16:00
• For Government Recommendation Applicants
  10th September 2007 (Mon.) 16:00

Remarks:

• Application form and all the necessary documents should be submitted directly or sent by Express Mail Service(EMS)
• All documents must be written in English. If the documents are written in language other than English, it must be accompanied by the English translation.
• Application form sent by facsimile is NOT accepted.
• Application form missing the deadline, missing necessary documents and/or containing any false statements/documents shall NOT be accepted.
• Once the documents are submitted, any of them would NOT be returned.
• No direct inquires to universities in Japan shall be allowed.

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1. The First Selection(English language examination)
   • Ministry of Education and JICE will do a basic check on the submitted application forms in Vientiane and incomplete application forms will be rejected.
   • Applicants who passed the basic check will be required to take an English examination held in Vientiane on September 29, 2007. This examination will be Institutional TOEFL (ITP).
   • Notification of the result: About two weeks after the examination.
     Remark: Applicants of Economics and Business Administration fields are required to take an exam in basic mathematics.
2. The Second Selection (Screening)
   • Those application forms which passed the first selection will be examined and screened by the Japanese Professors concerned in Japan.
   • Notification of the result: Around middle of November, 2007.
   • Successful applicants will be required to take a medical check-up at the designated clinic in the middle of November.
3. The Third Selection (Technical interview)
   • Date: in the middle of December 2007.
   • Place: Vientiane
   • Notification of the result: In the end of December 2007.
4. The Final Selection (Comprehensive interview)
   • Date: in the middle of January, 2008.
   • Place: Vientiane
   • Notification of the result: in the middle of January 2008.

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• Open Category Applicants:
  JICE JDS Project Office, the Lao P.D.R
  Vientiane, Lao Plaza Hotel.
  Tel:021-218800 ext.1161 (Mon.to Fri. 8:30-12:00, 13:30-17:00)
• Government Recommendation Applicants:
  Department of Higher Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education
  Tel: 021-216013 ext.116 (Mon.to Fri. 8:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00)
• Provincial Applicants
  (both Government Recommendation and Open Category Applicants)
  Provincial Education Service (PES) in the nation-wide
  (Mon.to Fri. 8:00-12:00, 13:00-16:00)

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1. Instructions for the application and related information
   1. Applicant's Guidelines
      [Microsoft Word : 46KB]
   2. How to Apply for JDS
      [Microsoft Word : 60KB]
   3. List of Accepting Universities
      [PDF : 10KB]
   4. Map of Universities in Japan
      [PDF : 133KB]
   5. Frequently Asked Questions
      [Microsoft Word : 43KB]
   6. Guideline for writing "Research Plan"
      [Microsoft Word : 32KB]
2. Application Documents
   1. Application Form
      [Microsoft Word : 46KB]
   2. Annex1
      [Microsoft Word : 35KB]
   3. Annex2
      [Microsoft Word : 35KB]
   4. Registration Form
      [Microsoft Word : 42KB]
   5. Permission Letter (Open Category)
      [Microsoft Word : 25KB]
   6. Permission Letter (Government Recommendation)
      [Microsoft Word : 250KB]
   7. Resident Certificate
      [Microsoft Word : 21KB]
   8. Questionnaire on Medical History and Present Health Condition
      [Microsoft Word : 31KB]
   9. Questionnaire on Source of Information
      [Microsoft Word : 20KB]
   10. Check List of Application Form to be submitted
       [Microsoft Word : 46KB]

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• Preparatory English training in Vientiane for about 4.5 months starting from February 2008 prior to departure.
• Time of leaving for Japan: around the end of June 2008.

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Ministry of Education and JICE will organize an explanatory meeting about this program, how to deal with application form and other necessary information on the following dates

• Vientiane (2 times)
  1st Explanatory Meeting
  12th July (Thu) 9:00 -
  At International Cooperation Training Center (ICTC)
  2nd Explanatory Meeting
  4th August (Sat) 13:00 -
  At the National Culture Hall
• Luangprabang Province
  16th July (Mon) 9:00 -
  At Souphanouvong University
• Savannakhet Province
  24th July (Tue) 9:00 -
  At conference room of Savanakhet Provincial Education Service
• Champasak Province
  26th July (Thu) 9:30 -
  At conference room of Champasak Provincial Education Service
• Xiengkhouang Province
  2nd August (Thu) 9:30 -
  At conference room of Khangkhai Teacher's Training College

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For further information, please contact: JICE JDS Project Office, the Lao P.D.R.
Tel:021-218800(ext1161) 　Mon.to Fri. 8:30 to 12:00,13:30-17:00

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Female and provincial applicants are encouraged to join !!