Three Solomon Islanders selected to study in Japan under JICA scholarships

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Three professionals are selected as a first group of scholars from Solomon Islands under newly started JICA Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS).

The three are from Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, & Meteorology, Ministry of National Security, Police & Correctional Services, and Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

They are: Benjamin Burukere Pitakaka, a Staff Officer & Staff Sergeant of the RSIPF, who will study International Relations at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Marlchom Zion ROW who is the Principal Resilience Officer, Climate Change Division, MECDM will be studying Climate Change Countermeasures/ Environmental Policy at the University of Tsukuba whilst Benjamin Wilfred KIRIAU  the Statistical Analyst, Economics, Research & Statistics Department of CBSI who will do Public Financial Management at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.

Three public servants were farewelled by their family members and Project Operating Committee (OC) members on Friday 25 July.

During the gathering, Dr. Franco Rodie, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), commended the three for their efforts to pursue academic success.

H.E. HIGUCHI Keiich, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan emphasized the importance of maintaining good health while studying in Japan, noting the differences in environment. He encouraged the students to make the most of their time by not only pursuing their graduate studies, but also by immersing themselves in Japanese culture and building meaningful connections with the local community.

The send-off ceremony concluded with a heartfelt message of encouragement from KAWASAKI Mitsuyoshi, Resident Representative, JICA Solomon Islands.

The scholars will depart from Honiara on August 31 and will participate in a one-month orientation program in Tokyo before proceeding to their respective universities in Japan.

The JDS Project is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, with the support from the Ministry of Public Service, and the Ministry of Education & Human Resource Development.

(JDS Outline)

The JDS program started in 1999. Initially focused on transition economies in Asia, the program has since expanded to include Southeast and South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The JDS has been implemented in 23 partner countries and in 2024 the program started accepting Ukraine, and Pacific countries, namely Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji in 2025.

JDS supports human resource development by providing young leaders from target countries with full scholarships for graduate degrees in top Japanese Universities.

JDS fellows are expected to contribute to the socio-economic development of their country, by actively engaging in policy formulation and implementation of social and economic development policies when they complete the program and return to their home country.

Five (5) components were selected by SIG, namely Public Policy, Public Financial Management, International Relations, and Climate Change Countermeasures/ Environmental Policy.

Through the JDS program, young leaders are also able to understand the Japanese society, learn about common interests and work towards common goals. The JDS program creates a system where academic exchanges, which include immersion and exposure to various fields, become a tool for strengthening international relations.

In 2024, 315 JDS fellows from 20 countries were accepted, and the total number of JDS fellows who have come to Japan so far is 6,345 mainly for master’s programs.