The governments of Maldives and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to education and capacity-building with the signing of a new Exchange of Notes, paving the way for continued scholarship opportunities for Maldivian students under Japan’s Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program.
At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad and Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Ishigami Rumiko formalized the agreement. Under the new accord, the Japanese government will provide a grant aid of 194 million Japanese Yen—approximately USD 1.3 million—for the 2025 fiscal year.
This funding will allow six Maldivian students to pursue fully-funded master’s degrees at prestigious Japanese universities, continuing a scholarship initiative that began in August 2020. The program aims to foster a new generation of skilled professionals equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development and policymaking.
The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Minister of State for Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Abdul Raheem Hasan, senior officials from both the Foreign Ministry and Higher Education Ministry, representatives from the Civil Service Commission, the Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Highlighting the broader significance of the partnership, officials noted that the scholarships are not only a testament to the enduring diplomatic ties between Maldives and Japan, but also a vital investment in human capital. The program is specifically tailored to nurture individuals capable of shaping and implementing forward-looking socio-economic policies for the country.
Japan has consistently extended such support through the JDS program in recent years, emphasizing its strategic focus on capacity development as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation. The continuation of the scholarship initiative in 2025 underscores both nations’ shared vision for sustainable development and long-term partnership.
The latest round of grants reflects Japan’s ongoing commitment to supporting Maldivian youth in becoming future leaders and change-makers, while strengthening the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
