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2010 Speeches (As delivered)
 

 

Remarks

by

H.E. Ambassador Makoto KATSURA

 

on the occasion of the

Send-Off Ceremony for the 8 th Batch

of Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship Project (JDS) Fellows

 

Ballroom I, Mandarin Oriental Hotel

04 June 2010, 10:00 a.m.

 


Honorable ROLANDO G. TUNGPALAN,

Deputy Director-General, NEDA

 

Director JOSEL F. IGNACIO

DFA - ASPAC

 

Mr. KENZO IWAKAMI

JICA Senior Representative

 

Our dear JDS fellows,

 

Distinguished guests,

 

Ladies and gentlemen:

 

It is a great pleasure for me to be with you today for the Send-Off Ceremony for the 8 th Batch of Fellows of the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship Project or JDS.

 

Today marks the 8 th year of this program. Since its inception in 2002, the JDS project has sent off a total of 179 JDS fellows including the present batch composed of 20. It is gratifying to note that for the past eight years, many selected Filipinos have pursued graduate studies in various fields in Japan.

 

Japan stands firm in its support of the human resource development efforts of the Philippines as this is in line with Japan's ODA policy providing developing countries with not just physical infrastructure but also capacity development as well.

 

To our 8 th batch of JDS Fellows, congratulations to all of you for passing the screening process and finishing your Japanese language training. I hope you will continue to learn the language and to experience a different culture during your stay in Japan. I also hope that your visit will provide the Japanese people with an opportunity to learn about the Philippines.

 

I am sure you will keep in your minds and in your hearts, the purpose for this endeavor. You all have the potential to effect change in your country through your studies and work. I hope you will take this opportunity and transform it into something that will result in the betterment of your respective offices in particular and of your country in general.

 

In closing, let me wish you all good health and a successful stay in Japan. I hope you will excel in your careers and in your chosen fields of expertise. When you return, I believe you will all be leaders in your nation's development and also a bridge in the strengthening of the friendly and cooperative ties between Japan and the Philippines.

 

Thank you for your kind attention.