Japanese ambassador hosts send-off party for students

Kathmandu, March 23: Japanese Ambassador, Kikuta Yutaka, hosted a send-off party for Nepali students who will be studying in Japan under the scholarship offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, at his Residence on Friday, March 22.

Japan has offered no-needpay-back scholarships to international students to pursue higher studies in Japan for undergraduate, graduate, specialized training college students, and teachers.

Japan started selection of Nepali students in 1957, just one year after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan. This spring, a total of 7 Nepali students--2 for undergraduate, 3 for master’s and 2 for doctoral degree--will be proceeding to Japan to obtain their degrees.

On the occasion, Ambassador Kikuta congratulated the successfully selected MEXT scholarship students and expressed his hope that they would make their best efforts in a good learning environment in Japan.

The Ambassador also encouraged the students to venture out of the university to experience various aspects of Japanese culture, make Japanese friends, and deeply understand the spirit of Japanese people. The Ambassador believed that with the knowledge, experience, and Japanese spirit thus acquired, the students would contribute to Nepal's development and play an important role in Japan-Nepal relations in the future.

Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha, the president of the Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN) also offered fruitful advice to the students about life and university in Japan, as he himself had experienced them.

The Embassy has hoped that these young scholars will serve as a bridge between Japan and Nepal and contribute to further strengthening mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation between the two countries.