Nine Malaysians among top 125 global students to receive Japanese scholarship

KUALA LUMPUR: It was like a dream come true for nine Malaysians when they were selected as the recipients of the Japanese government's scholarship Monbukagakusho: MEXT for the academic year 2021.

They are among the top 125 students from around the world to receive the scholarship for undergraduate programmes.

Ti Jia Qian, 19, is still in disbelief that she was chosen as she had to compete with other 150 Malaysian students who also applied for the scholarship.

"I feel very excited that I was given this opportunity to go to Japan and to learn about their culture, maybe I can help enhance the relationship between Japan and Malaysia," she said.

Ti was speaking to Bernama at the orientation programme organised by Japan Graduates Association of Malaysia (JAGAM), here, yesterday, graced by the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Oka Hiroshi.

Another recipient, Ching Wei Jian, 20, said he is grateful to be selected for the scholarship as it is a great opportunity to explore the world beyond Malaysia.

"Despite the cultural differences, we share the same hopes and dreams, as well as the desire to make the world a better place," he said.

Meanwhile, Oka said the recipients were chosen among the hundreds of applicants in recognition of their academic performance as well as their potentials.

"We place high expectations that you will become leaders, innovators, creators and the driving force of the future of Asia. It is our utmost pleasure if the Japanese government scholarship will contribute whatever way to your bright future," he said.

Oka said the scholarship has a long tradition, dating back to 1954, and to date, more than 1,600 Malaysian students have studied in Japan under the scholarship.

The scholarship will provide monthly allowances of approximately 117,000 yen (RM4,000) for each undergraduate.

-- BERNAMA