The Asian Development Bank (ADB)–Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) has a rich history of empowering individuals from developing countries by providing them opportunities for higher education in development-related fields. Here are a few notable success stories of alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields:
Dr. Fazle Karim (Bangladesh):
Dr. Karim utilized his scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tokyo. He focused on disaster risk management and has since become a leading expert in this field. His work has been instrumental in shaping Bangladesh’s national policies on disaster risk reduction, significantly enhancing the country’s resilience to natural disasters.
Ms. Anjana Shrestha (Nepal):
After earning her Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Tokyo, Ms. Shrestha returned to Nepal and co-founded an environmental consulting firm. Her company specializes in sustainable development projects, and she has played a key role in promoting eco-friendly practices in Nepal’s industrial sector.
Mr. James Mata (Papua New Guinea):
Mr. Mata completed his Master’s in Business Administration at the International University of Japan. He has since become a prominent figure in Papua New Guinea’s banking sector, working on financial inclusion initiatives that have expanded banking services to rural and underserved communities. His efforts have significantly improved access to financial services in his home country.
Ms. Thu Ha Nguyen (Vietnam):
Ms. Nguyen obtained her Master’s degree in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Japan. She now holds a senior position in Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment, where she focuses on foreign direct investment and economic development policies. Her work has attracted numerous international investments, driving economic growth in Vietnam.
Since its inception in 1988, the ADB-JSP has awarded over 4,260 scholarships to students from 37 developing member countries, with more than half of the recipients being women (Asian Development Bank) (Asian Development Bank). These scholars have gone on to contribute significantly to their home countries’ development in various sectors, including economics, business, science, and technology
For more detailed stories and information on the ADB-JSP, you can visit the ADB’s official scholarship program page and their annual reports
