Japan offers scholarships for Pinoy teachers, undergrads

The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines is now accepting applications for the Teacher Training and Japanese Studies categories of the 2016 Japanese Government Scholarship Program.

The program is open to Filipino teachers who wish to conduct research on school education at Japanese Universities under the Teacher Training category.

Filipino undergraduates who wish to pursue Japanese Studies in Japan for one year as part of their degree under the Japanese Studies category are also encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals must meet the following qualifications:

For teacher training:

- Teacher in Elementary/Secondary Level, or an academic staff at a teacher training institution
- 5 years teaching experience
- Good academic standing
- Under 35 years old
- 1.5 years of study in education management, methods of education, special subjects, observation study, etc.

For Japanese studies:

- Must be a Japanese Studies Major
- Good knowledge of the Japanese Language
- Good academic standing
- 18 to 29 years old
- 1 year of study Japanese language, life & culture, and related subjects

The scholarship is being offered by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT).

Application forms and further information on prerequisites are available at the embassy's Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) Library or may be viewed and downloaded from the embassy's website.

The deadline for submission of applications is on February 19, 2016 (Friday) at the JICC Library.

The embassy said only hard copies, preferably printed on A4 size paper, and mailed through courier or hand-delivered to the embassy will be accepted.

The application process consists of a document screening, written exams, and an interview. —KBK, GMA News