The government of Japan, through its Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, also known as MEXT or Monbu-Kagaku-Shō, offers scholarships to foreign students who desire to study at Japanese universities as postgraduate/research students every academic year. Successful applicants receive round-trip airfare, exemption from school fees and a monthly allowance.
This year, two T&T students have been awarded MEXT scholarships to pursue their studies at graduate level, for two years in Japan.
Anastasia Ramjag will be undertaking studies in linguistics and intercultural communication at Waseda University and Avinash Boodoo will be pursuing studies in coastal engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Both are excited to start their studies in Japan, though their original departure schedules were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are looking forward to immersing themselves in the culture while furthering their educational goals.
On October 7, Ambassador Tatsuo Hirayama met with and congratulated the MEXT scholarship students at his official residence. They discussed the courses that the students will be pursuing, the universities and areas of interest to be explored in Japan. The ambassador also offered the students encouraging advice and useful information for their stay in Japan.
The MEXT scholarship programme offers students an opportunity for exchange, growth, exploration and educational development. Embassy of Japan officials said the programme has contributed to the established bilateral relations between Japan and T&T and has further strengthened the co-operative relationship and exchanges between the two countries.