ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador of Japan, Takashi Kurai, has said that Japan will provide training to Pakistanis in different sectors to develop the human resources of the country He was speaking to an orientation cum send-off dinner hosted by him at his official residence for the scholarship grantees to study in Japan under various scholarship programmes offered by the Government of Japan. Ambassador Kurai, while speaking on the occasion, congratulated the scholarship grantees and also expressed his hope that they would come back to Pakistan to utilise their knowledge. He said that the expertise they would acquire in Japan could be used for the future development of Pakistan. He also hoped that they would always become bridges of friendship between Pakistan and Japan. The programmes under which scholarships have been granted to the Pakistani students this year include Teachers Training Programme (18 months), Young Leaders’ Programme (1year), Japanese Language Training Programme for Foreign Service Officers (8 months) and direct MEXT Research Scholarship (2-5 years, until their research is complete), 2016. In the Teachers Training Programme (TTP) two female teachers have been selected. In the Young Leaders Programme (YLP) two male government officials have been selected, in the Diplomat Training Programme one diplomat was nominated and selected, and around 16 students have received direct MEXT Research scholarship (they did not apply through the embassy but were nominated directly by their respective universities in Japan). The Embassy of Japan also selects Pakistani students every year under its MEXT Research Scholarship Programme to study in their respective fields at the best universities in Japan. The Embassy of Japan also organised a pre-departure orientation for the scholarship grantees that would be departing for Japan shortly to study in Japanese universities under various scholarship programmes. Pakistan alumnis of the Japanese universities were also invited at the orientation who shared their knowledge and experiences of studying and living in Japan. Those selected for training in Japan said while talking to Daily Times that they were quite happy. Sameer Baig, Assistant Director, Foreign Office said that his department nominated him for the training. “Hope that during the stay in Japan besides learning Japanese language, I will get a chance to see their culture and will get first-hand knowledge of the country, which will be a unique and valuable addition to my skills of diplomacy. In future if selected for the Pakistani mission in Japan, I will use it to promote the ties between two countries. ” he said. Sadia Farooq of Sadiq Public School Rawalpindi, who was selected for teachers training, said that through the programme she will stay for 18 months in Japan out of which six months would be for learning the Japanese language and the remaining one year would be for teachers’ training. “I was too excited when I was informed that I was selected for the programme. Japan’s education system is too strong and after completing my training from there, I will use it for the betterment of education in Pakistan,” she added. Aisha Ahmad from Government Girls High School Lady Sandeman Zarghoon, Quetta, said that she was selected for the teachers’ training programme. She said during the training she would observe and learn about the Japanese education system. Japan is an advance country in education and their literacy rate is so much high. “After return, I will use my potential to increase the literacy rate as well as the quality of education in Balochistan” she said. Waqar Ahmed, Assistant Director, Foreign Office, who availed and completed an eight-month training from Japan in 2015 said that he learned a lot from the training including the Japanese language and the foreign policy of the country, their culture and life style. In the training 37 candidates from different countries participated, among them 33 were from foreign services and the remaining were from other departments. “Through a conversational partner, I was connected to a 76-year Ishi San. She was a wonderful lady. I prepared Pakistani food for her, which she liked a lot. We are in contact” Ahmed said. Uzma Khan of Islamabad Model Girls School, G-8/2 shared her experience of training with Daily Times and said that she went to Japan in October, 2014 for 18 months teachers’ training and after completing it, she was now practically using it. She said in Japan the education system is more focused on student’s group work and practicality and even junior level students deliver presentations. “In Japanese education teachers let students speak and are also given the right of asking questions, which we lack in our education system” she said.