The Governments of the Maldives and Japan have signed an Exchange of Notes to formalise a grant of 194 million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 1.3 million) to support the continuation of scholarship opportunities for Maldivian students under the Japanese Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) in 2025.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad and Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko.
This year’s agreement is an increase in the amount granted to the Maldives by Japan for this program compared to the previous years. In 2023 and 2024, Japan extended 161 million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 1.02 million) for this programme, which is 33 million Japanese Yen (approximately 231,247.10) less than the amount agreed upon this year.
According to the Ministry, the grant will fund six scholarships for Maldivian students this year. The initiative, first launched in August 2020, is part of Japan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen human resource development in the Maldives.
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Abdul Raheem Hasan, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, the Civil Service Commission, the Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The JDS programme continues to serve as a key component of bilateral cooperation between the Maldives and Japan, helping to nurture future leaders and professionals in key sectors of national development.
