October 1982, Mr. Masao Ikeda Udui, Mr. Sydney Basilius, and Ms. Carlisa Ngiralmau Ngedebuu became the first Palauans to receive the Japanese Government Scholarship. Masao studied Electronics, Sydney studied Agriculture, and Carlisa studied Japanese Language. These pioneering three began a tradition when they all completed their studies and returned to Palau where they remain as productive and contributing members of the community. In other words; "te millemotem er a rael" which literally means, they cleared the way.
And now, 25 years later, the Government of Japan continues to offer three scholarships to Palauans on a yearly basis in the following areas: Postgraduate, Undergraduate, and Professional Training School. These scholarships cover all expenses including tuition and school fees, living allowances, and travel expenses to Japan. The scholarships also provide for six months to one year of preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects upon arrival in Japan. To date, 54 students have partaken in this opportunity whilst four are currently studying in Japan under the Japanese Government Scholarship.
Every year, applications are open from April until May for the Professional Training and Undergraduate Program, followed by placement tests in June and interview test in July. As for the Postgraduate Program, applications are open from April until July of each year due to the numerous documents required in the application process. After the placement and interview tests are completed, the Embassy will recommend those who meet the qualifying scores to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Technology (MEXT) in Japan around August. As the scholarship program is offered to over 180 countries around the world, screening will take place from August until December. Notification of acceptance will be in December or January of the following year. Those who are accepted will be given an orientation by the Embassy in March, and depart to Japan in April to begin their studies.
For Palau, there is no quota for the Professional Training and Undergraduate Program. This means that whoever applies and qualifies in the placement and interview test will be recommended. As for the Postgraduate program, there are only two slots for the Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Marshall Islands. This makes the Postgraduate program very competitive because there are only two slots for three countries.
In the 25 years that the scholarships have been available, 51 students have qualified for the Professional Training program while 7 have qualified for the Postgraduate program. However, not one Palauan student has qualified for the Undergraduate program. Hopefully this will change beginning this year. Since 2006, the Ministry of Education in Japan has changed several very important policies regarding the scholarship program. First is the release of previous year’s placement test to applicants to use as study reference. Second, beginning this year, any student who completes his/her studies under the Professional Training program in good standing and is accepted into a university in Japan as a transfer-junior level, may have the term of scholarship extended. The same goes for the Undergraduate program in that a student who completes the program, applies, and is accepted into a Master’s program may have the term of scholarship extended until completion of the Postgraduate program.
The scholarship programs are part of the Government of Japan’s continuing effort to assist Palau’s developing human resources. Such programs aim to educate the scholarship recipients and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge so that they may return to Palau and utilize what they’ve learned to assist in the development of the Republic. For any person interested in the Japanese Government Scholarships, please contact Mr. Junichi Hirose or Ms. Bernie Ngiralmau of the Embassy of Japan at 488-6455 or 6456 for information regarding scholarships for the 2008 school year.