On March 18, 2016, Ambassador Nishioka hosted a send-off reception for the four recipients of the Japanese scholarships who will leave early April for their studies in Japan. Three of the scholars are awarded scholarships to study in graduate schools under the Japanese Government's Research Student Scholarship, and one student will study in undergraduate school under the Ashinaga Scholarship for Orphaned Students from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Speaking during the reception, Ambassador Nishioka congratulated the new scholarship recipients, and said that they are expected to take the role as Ambassadors in their fields for both Malawi and Japan. He added that Japan sees capacity building as one of the key elements for the development of a nation, and that is why Japan is providing many human resource development programs in Malawi, such as the above mentioned scholarships, JICA's training programs, African Business Education (ABE) Initiative for the Youth, and Japanese Language Training Program for Foreign Service Officers. Japan is starting a new scholarship for secondary school teacher training, and hopes to expand these programs. Ambassador Nishioka also expressed gratitude to the alumni of these scholarship who were present, and urged them to take advantage of groups such as the Japan Alumni in Malawi association and develop the network of alumni.
In his speech, the Guest of Honour, Honourable Vincent Ghambi, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology said that these scholarships not only cement the cordial relationship between Malawi and Japan, but also help Malawian scholars to be exposed to other experiences for the benefit of the scholars themselves and the Malawi nation as well. In addition, he encouraged the scholars to work hard and to remember that they will be carrying the Malawian flag in Japan.
The reception was also attended by His Excellency Mr. Roosevelt Gondwe, former Ambassador of Malawi to Japan, officials from government and academic institutions and alumni members who studied in Japan.
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