UTAR Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) and the Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) successfully organised an online seminar titled Study in Japan and Japanese Scholarships for UTAR Students on 16 April 2024, in collaboration with the Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM) and the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, via Zoom.

Attended by more than 80 students online, the seminar aimed to encourage students to further their studies in Japan and provide them with information about it.

Present were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Education and Science Attaché Mr Saito Yukiyoshi, JAGAM President Mr Gary Tang Kok Lian, representatives from Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) Ms Osawa Noriko, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, UTAR staff and students.

In his welcome speech, Prof Dato’ Ewe expressed heartfelt gratitude and said, “I would like to express my appreciation to the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, JAGAM and JASSO for your support and assistance in introducing the various scholarships and opportunities provided by the Japanese government for our Malaysian students. Your dedication to fostering educational exchanges between Malaysia and Japan is truly great, and UTAR is grateful for the collaboration that has made this event possible.”

Continuing his speech, Prof Dato’ Ewe extended thanks to the distinguished speakers. He said, “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our distinguished speakers, Mr Gary, Mr Saito and Ms Osawa, for gracing us with their presence and expertise. Your valuable insights into the opportunities of studying in Japan will certainly guide our participants in making the right decisions about their educational pursuits.”

During his address, JAGAM President Mr Gary Tang expressed gratitude to UTAR for enabling his participation in the event. Regarding the MEXT scholarships, he emphasised their prestige among research students, highlighting their continuous availability since 1956. He encouraged UTAR graduates to explore the opportunity, as they are eligible to apply.

The seminar kicked off with an engaging presentation delivered by Ms Osawa, representing JASSO. Titled “Study in Japan”, her presentation served as the foundation of the event, highlighting the key roles of JASSO in facilitating international education activities. Ms Osawa delved into various aspects, including the growing number of international students in Japan and the compelling reasons to pursue studies in Japan.

Attendees gained invaluable insights into the background of higher education in Japan, the details of application procedures, living costs, academic fees, and the array of scholarships available to support educational pursuits in Japan. Moreover, Ms Osawa shed light on the promising prospects for employment in Japan post-graduation, enriching the audience with a complete understanding of the opportunities awaiting prospective researchers.

Following Ms Osawa’s enlightening presentation, Mr Saito took the platform to promote the prestigious MEXT Scholarship programme. Mr Saito captivated the audience as he elaborated on the various aspects of the scholarship. His talk delved into the application process, eligibility criteria, and the opportunities the MEXT Scholarship offers to students worldwide.

In addition to the informative presentations by Ms Osawa and Mr Saito, the seminar also featured a unique glimpse into real-life experiences through sharing sessions by UTAR students currently pursuing their studies in Japan.

The talk ended after a virtual group photography session.