The Ministry of Higher Education has announced the availability of JDS Scholarships in the Maldives.

In a publication on Thursday, the ministry announced that scholarship opportunities have been opened for Maldivian students, by the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), an initiative to provide education opportunities from top universities in Japan.

Six Masters Degree scholarships are offered under the programme and accommodation for students will be arranged as well.

The application deadline has been set at 1:30pm on 17 January 2021 and interest individuals may apply through the ministry premises. Applicants are required to submit three sets of their applications after penning their names, ID card numbers and contact details as well as the scholarship title and course details on the back of each envelope.

Some of the eligibility criterion set for the programme include applicants aged between 22 and 39 years as of April 1, 2021.

Academic qualifications include holding a Bachelor’s Degree from universities authorized by the Maldivian government or other government, the requirement to go through the eligibility screening after being selected as final candidates for those who have less than 16 years of formal education (from primary school to university).

Further, applicants must also be civil servants or permanent staff at independent institutions, have a good command of both written and spoken English as well as understanding the objective of JDS project and have a strong will to work for the development of Maldives and “contribute to the friendly relations” between Maldives and Japan after their return.

The criterion also noted that those who already have a Master’s or higher degrees and are currently receiving another scholarship are not eligible for the programme.