Maldives and Japan Sign $1 Million Grant to Boost Civil Service Capacity

The Maldivian government and the Government of Japan have formalized a scholarship agreement under the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) programme to strengthen the nation's civil service and local human resources. The grant assistance, totaling 152 million Japanese Yen (approximately USD 1 million), focuses on enhancing the capacity of government employees. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Skills Development, and Taki Moto, the Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Maldives. Under the framework of the JDS initiative, selected Maldivian professionals will have the opportunity to pursue Master’s degrees at three of Japan's premier universities. The scholarships are strategically targeted toward critical governance and development sectors, specifically offering degrees in Public Policy, International Relations, and Environmental Management. Ahmed Shafeeu, Minister of State for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, emphasized that the programme serves as a vital pathway for civil servants to acquire high-level qualifications from world-class institutions. He noted that the initiative is specifically designed to inject specialized expertise back into the public sector to improve governance. Since the introduction of these specialized scholarships in 2020, 36 Maldivians have been granted opportunities to study in Japan. According to the Ministry, nine students are currently pursuing their postgraduate degrees under the JDS initiative. The Ministry further highlighted the tangible impact of the programme, noting that previous graduates have returned to the Maldives and are now applying their advanced knowledge within various government institutions, contributing directly to the development of the public sector.