Apply for the 2021 Ajinomoto postgraduate scholarship grant in Japan

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC), through the Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation, opened its application of its 2021 Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant to help deserving Filipino students in need of financial assistance to pursue higher education in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics ) field. Postgrad studs may consider applying in other STEM-related courses such as Medicine, Engineering, Agricultural and Life Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Frontier Science, Information Communication Technology, and more.

PRESS RELEASE

The desire to embark on a postgraduate degree study is usually disrupted with an obstacle along the way – your financial situation. Some are unsuccessful in pursuing this dream since investing in a postgraduate education would require financial sacrifice.

But this should not stop you from experiencing a new culture, meeting different professionals from all over the world and gaining new skills that will develop you further.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) through the Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation will help you achieve this goal with its 2021 Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant that supports deserving Filipino students who require financial assistance to pursue higher education in the field of sciences.

The Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation, formerly named as the Suzuki Scholarship Foundation was established in Japan in 1957. The postgraduate scholarship grant which was introduced in the Philippines in 2010 provides a full scholarship in master’s course at specified graduate schools in top Japanese universities including University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Ochanomizu University, Waseda University, Kagawa Nutrition University and Tokyo Institute of Technology.

The University of Tokyo and Kyoto University are among Japan’s top universities with the former ranking 36th at the World University Rankings 2020 list of Times Higher Education. The list includes nearly 1,400 top institutions around the world, measuring each institution’s “performance across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.”

As a global company food and amino science company, Ajinomoto aims to cultivate the educational development of prospective students who are interested to continue master’s studies in the fields of nutrition or health sciences.

Aspirants may also consider applying in other science courses like Medicine, Engineering, Agricultural and Life Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Frontier Science, Information Science and Technology, Mathematical Science, Biostudies and such.

APC has so far sent 10 Filipino scholars to Japan including 2019 recipient, Ms. Kimberly Castro, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Pharmacy at the University of the Philippines Manila.

Kimberly had always wanted to pursue graduate studies, thus she did not hesitate to apply as a scholar because she felt that there are still “so much to learn, not only academically, but also from other cultures and way of life.”

This turned out to be a great decision for her because she is currently a research student at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University – a prestigious university with access to world-class research facilities.

Kimberly, meanwhile, shared how Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation has guided her through her journey. “Having the Foundation as a support is really helpful in so many ways. It is like having a direct guidance, which is really important especially if one is new in an unfamiliar place,” she said.

After she accomplished her master’s program, Kimberly plans to teach in a university and continue her doctoral studies or be a full-time researcher. “I want to be directly involved in drug discovery and development. I hope to contribute something substantial to the field of pharmacy,” she continued.

About the Grant

The Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grants aims to help deserving Filipino students who require financial assistance to pursue higher education in the field of sciences. This gives a full scholarship in a master’s course at specified graduate schools in designated universities in Japan. This grant can be applied to specified graduate schools at the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ochanomizu University, Waseda University and Kagawa Nutrition University.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Aspiring applicants to the Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant must meet the following qualifications:

1. Must be a Filipino Citizen
   
2. Must have graduated or be expected to graduate with an excellent academic record (with over 15 years of education completed or expected to be completed) and must receive the recommendation of his/her University President or Academic Advisor or be otherwise qualified to enroll in the university
   
3. Must be under the age of 35 years old on April 1, 2020
   
4. In principle, the applicant must be able to obtain approval of acceptance as either a Postgraduate International Research Student (hereinafter “ Research Student”) or a Graduate School Student (Master’s course) (hereinafter “Master’s Course Student) from the University and be registered as a Research Student or a Master’s Course Student for April 2021 or October 2021
   
5. Must acquire adequate Japanese language proficiency that is required in order to research and study in master’s course, when enrolling as a Master’s course student;
   
6. Must file an application and attend selection procedures in the Philippines
   
7. Must be in good physical and mental health, and have a strong motivation for learning
   
8. Must not be receiving other scholarships
   
9. Must show financial need to pursue higher education.
   
10. Must have a strong sense of nationalism, leadership and motivation

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

1. ¥ 150,000 (approximately PHP 70,500) monthly allowance for a maximum of 1 year as a research student at a graduate school
2. ¥ 180,000 (approximately PHP 84,600) monthly allowance for a maximum of 2 years as a master’s course student at graduate school
3. Full coverage of examination, admission and tuition fees
4. Full coverage of Japanese language training before going to Japan
5. Full coverage of airfare to Japan (two-way ticket)

SCHOLARSHIP GRANT DURATION

1. If the recipient enrolls as a research student, scholarship will be provided for a maximum of 3 years (1 year as a research student and maximum 2 years as a master’s course student). The scholarship will be suspended if the recipient fails to pass the entrance exam for a master’s course within a year after arriving in Japan.
2. For Waseda University, in principle, scholarships will be provided for 2 years studying as a Master’s Course Student.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO BE ACCEPTED: One (1) student from each of the six (6) countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Russia

DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 1, 2020

SELECTION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

1. 1^st Screening- Application Documents Screening: March to April 2020
2. 2^nd Screening- Face-to-Face Panel Interview: April 17, 2020 (Interview will be done in English)
3. Notification of results: June 2019

Nominated applicants who pass the 2^nd screening must submit all the necessary documents designated by the graduate schools or the Universities they wish to enroll within the application period.

The nominated applicants to enroll in October should pay attention to the application period and the date of issuance of the letter of acceptance because they differ from those for the April enrollment. Please contact the graduate school you wish to enroll for details.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Deadline of application is on March 1, 2020.
2. Accomplish the following downloadable forms found HERE.
3. Attach the following:

• 3 passport photos taken within the last 6 months
• Transcript of scholastic record issued by the university and/or graduate school attended (or certified true copy of transcripts from the university if the university does not issue copies of transcripts.)

Note: For applicants whose transcripts of records do not indicate a general weighted average, submit a certificate indicating general weighted average.

• Certified true copy of University/ College diploma (For graduating students who cannot provide at the time of application, submit a Certificate of Graduation)
• Photocopied documents proving Japanese proficiency of the applicant (such as results of JPLT, EJU and other tests provided by Japanese training institutions) when required by the University
• TOEFL and GRE scores when required by the graduate school which the applicant wishes to enroll.
• If you are currently employed, please submit the following:
  1. Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ Tax withheld, and;
  2. Latest Certificate of Employment and Compensation indicating annual/ monthly salary, bonuses, commissions with signature of authorized company representative
•  If you are married, please submit:
  1. Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ Tax withheld of your spouse, and
  2. Latest Certificate of Employment of your spouse with signature of authorized company representative (Note: Applicant whose spouse is retired, deceased, or unemployed, submit certificate issued by a local agency, company or government with respective signature/s).
•  If you are currently single and/or unemployed, please submit:
  1. Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ tax Withheld, and;
  2. Latest Certificate of employment of your employed parents or parent. (Note: Applicant whose parent or parents is/are deceased or unemployed, please submit signed Certificate issued by local agency, company or government.)
• For self-employed parents, please submit:
  1. Business/ DTI Permit, detailed description of the business
  2. Income and Expenses financial statement of the previous year
• For Parents not filing an ITR, please submit:
  1. Letter indicating the reason for non-filing;
  2. Provide certified true copy of Certificate of Non-filing from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
• If parent/ guardian is retired, please submit Retirement and/or Pension Voucher.

1. Place all accomplished forms and documents in a long brown envelope and send to:

AJINOMOTO SCHOLARSHIP SECRETARIAT

Public Relations Department

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation

Unit 1100, 11^th Floor, V Corporate Centre

125 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village

Makati City, Philippines

Note: The documents submitted shall not be returned under any circumstances.

For more information

For application requirements and contact details, please see the 2021 Ajinomoto postgraduate scholarship grant HERE.

For inquiries, contact Deborah Sales:

Tel Numbers: (02) 8895-6081 loc. 8137

Direct Line: (02) 8558- 5942

Mobile Number: 0917-820-2499

Email Address: [email protected]