Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship (Undergraduate Student)

	Brief History and Aim
	Eligibility Criteria / Qualifications
	Value of Award
	Application Procedure
	Dates of Commencement and Closing of Application
	Selection
	Source of Further Information

Brief History and Aim

The Scholarship Scheme was set up by the Japanese Government in 1964. It aims at providing an opportunity for Hong Kong students who wish to continue their studies at universities in Japan; giving them the necessary assistance for the pursuit of their studies; promoting international exchange in the fields of education, science and culture; and contributing to the mutual understanding and cooperation between Japan and Hong Kong.

Eligibility Criteria / Qualifications

1. Nationality: Applicants must be Hong Kong residents who are holding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Passports or other valid Hong Kong travel documents.
2. Age: Applicants must be aged between 17 and 21 as at 1 April 2010. (i.e.born between 2 April 1988 and 1 April 1993)
3. Academic Background: Applicants must either complete a twelve-year regular course of school education or have graduated from a school equivalent to an upper secondary school in Japan.
4. Japanese Language: Applicants must be willing to study the Japanese language and receive university education in the medium of Japanese.

Value of Award

The awards are normally tenable for five years except for those majoring in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine or six-year course in Pharmacy, whose term of scholarship is seven years. Each scholarship will normally cover tuition,  allowances and return passage.

Application Procedure

Application form and further information on the scholarship can be downloaded from http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/06032818.htm / http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/ch/toj/toj0307c.html or obtained in person or by mail (a return envelope with stamp at $2.20 must be provided) at the following address on or before 15 May 2009.

Scholarships, Grants & Loans Section
Student Financial Assistance Agency
Room 1217, 12/F.,
Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices,
303 Cheung Sha Wan Road,
Kowloon

Completed forms and supporting documents (including the original for checking) must be returned in person to the above office not later than 29 May 2009. Applicants are not required to submit the Certificate of Health at the time of application, but are expected to do so after the interview, if selected. Recommendation letter by principal or advisor must be submitted under seal.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to sit for written tests scheduled for 6 and 7 July 2009. Those who pass the written tests will be invited to attend an interview. The past written examination papers have been uploaded to the websites http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/06032818.htm and http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/ch/toj/toj0307c.html for public surfing. 

Dates of Commencement and Closing of Application

Source of Further Information

Enquiries should be made to:-

Student Financial Assistance Agency,
Room 1217, 12/F., Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices,
303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.

Telephone number 2150 6109.