KATHMANDU: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Nepal (GoN) have signed a grant agreement worth 572 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 510 million) for the continuation of “The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)” for Fiscal Year 2025.

The initiative aims to enhance the administrative capacity of Nepal’s civil servants through higher education in Japan.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by Mr. Ghanashyam Upadhaya, Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance, and His Excellency Mr. MAEDA Toru, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal.

Following this, the Grant Agreement was inked by Mr. Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD), and Mr. MATSUZAKI Mizuki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office.

Launched in 2016, the JDS program provides annual scholarships to 20 Nepali civil servants for two-year master’s degree programs and to 2 officials for three-year doctoral programs at prestigious Japanese universities.

The scholarships focus on fields such as public policy, judiciary, and economic development. To date, 209 civil servants have benefitted from the program.

The JDS initiative is designed to prepare young and capable government officials to become future leaders in Nepal’s federal system.

Upon completion of their studies, scholars are expected to play pivotal roles in national policymaking and implementation.

On the occasion, Mr. MATSUZAKI Mizuki reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to human resource development in Nepal, emphasizing that strengthening the country’s bureaucracy is key to sustainable growth.