THE Japanese embassy has encouraged outstanding young students to apply for scholarships to undertake masters degrees and doctorates in Japan.

Dr Saw Rock Top, an official at the embassy’s Cultural and Information Section, said the scholarships included those provided under the Asia Youth Fellowship Program.

There was also the Asia-Japan Alumni scholarship program offered by the Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA) and the Japanese embassy, he said.

Dr Saw Rock Top told an education seminar organised by the MAJA and the Japan Student Services Organisation at the Sedona Hotel on February 5 that information about the scholarships would be available from the embassy and the association from next month.

Dr Saw Rock Top said both programs were open to Myanmar no older than 33 who have a good academic record.

Those wanted to pursue masters degree course should have completed 16 years of education, he said.

Candidates who were enthusiastic about promoting bilateral understanding and have the potential for leadership were particularly encouraged to apply, he said.

The priority subjects for the scholarships are social sciences, engineering and economics.

Those selected for the Asia Youth Fellowship Program attend a 14-month Japanese language course in Malaysia before beginning masters degrees or doctorates.

Mr Tetsuo Sakai, a senior official from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology, told the seminar that there were 590 Myanmar students in Japan in 2004, of whom 140 were the recipients of scholarships or grants.

Mr Sakai, who is also responsible for the Japan Student Services Organisation, an independent administrative institution, said it planned to grant 500 scholarships to foreign students in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.