(KPL) The Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR hosted a send-off party on July 31 at the Residence of the Ambassador in Vientiane to celebrate and encourage the latest Lao recipients of two prestigious Japanese scholarship programs: the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) and the Young Leaders Program (YLP).

The event aimed to extend best wishes to the departing fellows as they prepare to pursue graduate studies in Japan, with hopes that they will return equipped to contribute to the socio-economic development of Laos.

The JDS program, launched in 1999, offers scholarships to promising Lao government officials for two-year master’s degrees and three-year doctoral degrees in Japan. Over 500 Lao officials have benefited from the program to date.

The YLP, introduced in 2001, also targets young government officials, providing one-year master’s degree scholarships in five key fields: government, local governance, business administration, law, and healthcare administration. To date, more than 70 Lao officials have participated in the program.

During the event, Ambassador Koizumi congratulated the departing fellows and encouraged them to seize the opportunity for personal and professional growth, urging them to contribute to the future of Laos upon their return.

Representing the new fellows, Mr. Vilavong Youbonphark from the Lao National Assembly, who will study at Doshisha University, and Ms. Dalivanh Vongphachanh from the Ministry of Health, who will attend Nagoya University, expressed their gratitude to the Government of Japan and reaffirmed their commitment to academic excellence.

Among the distinguished guests were alumni of Japanese institutions, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phout Simmalavong, Former Minister of Education and Sports and President of the Lao-Japan Friendship Association, who offered a toast of encouragement, and Dr. Bounfeng Phounmmalaysith, Former Minister of Health.

The event highlighted the ongoing and deepening partnership between Laos and Japan in the field of human resource development and leadership training.

KPL