UTAR Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) and Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM) jointly organised a talk on Study in Japan & Japanese Scholarships @UTAR 2022 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus and Kampar Campus and via Zoom on 6 and 22 April 2022 respectively. The talk attracted more than 40 participants combined. The aim of the talk was to encourage students to further their studies in Japan and provide them with information pertaining to it.

Present for the session at Sungai Long Campus were Education and Science Attaché Saito Yukiyoshi, JAGAM President Gary Tang Kok Lian, and JAGAM representatives Liew Yoke Ching and Assoc Prof Dr Lau Wee Yeap. Meanwhile, the session in Kampar Campus was graced by Vice-Consul of Consulate-General of Japan in Penang Saki Teramoto, Yukiyoshi, JAGAM Northern Branch Chairman Shaun Chiam Khai Seong, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Liew (via Zoom), Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee.

In his speech, Gary Tang thanked UTAR for providing the opportunity to attend the talk. Speaking of the MEXT scholarships, he said, “The MEXT scholarships are prestigious scholarships given to research students. These scholarships have been offered since 1956. All of you who graduate from UTAR, stand a chance to apply.” Gary Tang also mentioned that scholarships offered by the Japanese government and JAGAM were privileged, with no contract or bonding. Chiam also encouraged participants in Kampar to consider studying in Japan, and to expand their knowledge and exposure to the Japanese culture.

Education and Science Attaché Saito Yukiyoshi introduced the MEXT scholarships provided by the Japanese Government. Saito mentioned that 227 Malaysian students have received the MEXT scholarships in 2019, and the proportion of the number of international students from each country was 7.4%. “I believe Malaysian students have high potential to obtain these scholarships,” said Saito. There are various types of MEXT scholarships provided to students; Saito, however, mainly introduced scholarships provided to undergraduates and postgraduates. He also mentioned that the due date of the application for MEXT Scholarships for the year 2023 was 29 April 2022. At the end of his sharing, Saito advised students to be aware of scams by giving various examples.

In the following session, Dr Lau was invited to share his study experience in Japan. Liew, in both sessions, was invited to introduce the various scholarships offered by JAGAM. Among the scholarships offered include Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute – SNG JAGAM Scholarship, Akamonkai Japanese Language Institute Akamonkai JAGAM Scholarships, University of Tokyo PEAK Programme JAGAM Supplementary Scholarships, Asia University ASEAN Scholarship, Nanzan University JAGAM Scholarship Programme, Nippon Designers School JAGAM Scholarships, Nippon Designers School Kyushu JAGAM Scholarships, and Nippon Photography Institute JAGAM Scholarships. Since this is the second year for JAGAM offering these scholarships, Liew advised participants to take hold of the opportunity presented. On the other hand, the Kampar session saw Dr Au Yong sharing her experience when she studied in Japan under the MEXT scholarship. She enlightened participants about the things she learnt and enjoyed throughout her studies in Japan and encouraged participants to try applying for the scholarship as well as to consider Japan for their education.

Teramoto in her speech, expressed her hope for more students to study in Japan. She mentioned that many perceived studying in Japan is expensive but she disagreed and explained that the talk will provide participants the information they need to learn more about the scholarship and about studying in Japan. She advised participants to seize the opportunity to study in Japan.

The talk ended after a group photography session.

For more information about JAGAM scholarships, click here: https://jagam.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Scholarships-list-V1.pdf.

For more information about the MEXT scholarships, click here: https://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/scholarship.html or email edu@kl.mofa.go.jp (Japan Information Service, Embassy of Japan). The Embassy of Japan in Malaysia also provides free online education consultations. To make an appointment, please email jis@kl.mofa.go.jp.