Islamabad: A send-off ceremony for 18 trainees in Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS) was held here today in Islamabad at the residence of Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan.

This program was launched in Pakistan in 2018. The main objective of JDS is to strengthen the administrative capacities of government of Pakistan for social and economic development. This program targets young government officials, who are expected to play a leadership role in the development of their country.

This year, eighteen competent civil servants from thirteen different departments enrolled in six different

universities will study in Japan. They get benefit from this program to achieve the key objectives of acquiring

expert knowledge, conduct research, and build human networks. These will help the trainees to take an active

role in solving practical problems of the social and economic development issues in Pakistan. Five fellows are enrolled in Public Administration and Finance; four fellows for Energy Policy and Implementation; Six

fellows in Industrial Promotion, Investment Climate and Trade; two fellows in Agriculture, Water Resources

and Rural Development and One fellow enrolled in Disaster Management Capacity.

Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan said: “We expect them not only to make their maximum

effort to successfully complete their respective degree but also to understand Japan, its people, its unique

culture and tradition. We hope that after completing their studies in Japan they utilize their experience in Japan and will work for the development of Pakistan.”

. Shigeki Furuta, Chief Representative of JICA while speaking at the event said with his expectation to the

JDS fellows, “I would like to congratulate all of you for your next adventure and will be pleased to see you

accomplishing great things to solidify foundations to further bilateral relation not only on country basis but also personal basis with Japan. You can do this by utilizing human network development through academic and social activities which will become precious asset for both the countries”.