LSAJ

Twenty-five Lao students will travel to Japan to study masters degrees in fields including law, public policy and administration, economics and engineering.

Japanese Ambassador to Laos , Masaaki Miya****a, said the students would also study business administration, agricultural and rural administration and educational administration.

“All of these are important fields for the future socio-economic development of Laos ,” Mr Miya****a said.

The students were chosen from a field of 200 candidates to receive the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarships.

Mr Miya****a said the purpose of the programme was to support human resource development in Laos . The fields of study were selected to respond to the needs of the Lao government.

Scholarship recipient Mr Amphone Khaopearsuphom will study with the Department of Education and Educational Administration at the University of Tsukuba .

“In conjunction with my studies I will extend my knowledge of Lao culture and traditions in order to teach the Japanese about life in Laos , and encourage them to visit,” he said.

After graduating Mr Amphone hopes to use his new knowledge to assist his organisation in Laos to work to international standards.

Mr Miya****a said the aim of the scholarship programme was to not just enable students to specialise in their respective fields, but also to foster a better understanding of Japan and its people, culture and history. It is also aimed to strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Laos .

Lao Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Lytou Bouapao, advised all scholarship recipients to learn from their Japanese counterparts. He said he hoped they would gain knowledge and skills that would help to develop Laos .

“Congratulations to the candidates and many thanks to the Japanese government for offering this opportunity for students to learn and exchange knowledge in Japan ,” he said.

The programme also includes Japanese language studies, which will be provided internally by teachers at the university.

The students were farewelled on Friday night at a party hosted by the Japanese Embassy to Laos and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

It was attended by the Minister of Health and Lao-Japan Friendship Association President, Dr Ponmek Dalaloy, along with 17 scholarship winners from last fiscal year.

So far, the scholarship programme has supported 195 students during nine years since 2000. About 120 of them have returned to Laos .

By vientiane times