The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is inviting suitable candidates to apply for the SDGs Global Leadership Programme scholarships for 2025 academic year.
The SDGs Global Leader Programme aims to develop high level human resources who are capable of contributing to appropriate policy decisions and their implementation for tackling political and developmental issues in respective fields. The programme aims to establish and maintain long-term relationships between South Africa and Japan.
The programme will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about Japanese development experiences as well as obtaining a Master’s degree/PhD in a Japanese university. This opportunity is exclusively for young to middle level public sector officials and academics.
Degree level
Master’s
PhD
Deadlines
27 September 2024
Who can apply?
- South African nationals;
- Young or middle level government officials and academics who have an interest in contributing to policy formulation or implementation for tackling political and developmental issues, mainly in the fields of public policy/administration, public finance management and economics;
- Must be between 22 and 39 years old, as a guide;
- Must be proficient in English (university may require proof of proficiency);
- Must have prior work experience (6 months or more);
- Master’s in SDGs Global Leader programme applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree (B-Tech included) with honours or equivalent to NQF8;
- PhD in SDGs Global Leader programme applicants must have a Master’s degree or equivalent to NQF9 or above;
- Must have employer endorsement and commitment for reinstatement upon completion of studies;
- Must be in good health condition, both physically and mentally, to complete the programme;
- Must contribute to networking with Japanese companies;
- Must not receive or plan to receive a scholarship offered by other organizations, and
- Must attend additional activities on the weekends once or twice per year in unavoidable circumstances;
- If accepted to the programme, cooperate in answering questionnaires regarding the participant’s current status, while participating and after completing the programme, which will be sent out periodically;
- Women are encouraged to apply for the programme.
Note: Applicants from the private sector are NOT eligible.
Applicants are completely responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals from their employers.
Refer to the General Information document for comprehensive details on eligibility.
Fields of Study
Candidates with key field of study in the following areas will be prioritised:
- Public Sector Capacity Development;
- Higher Education Capacity Development.
MBA candidates will not be prioritised under the programme.
Duration of programme
The SDGs Global Leader Programme starts in September 2025 and includes 2-year Master’s programme or a 3-year PhD programme.
Participants are required to return to South Africa upon completion of the programme.
What the scholarship offers
- Tuition examination fees, entrance fees, course fees;
- Monthly allowance;
- A round-trip airfare;
- Orientation: basic Japanese language course and introductory course for Japanese life;
- Outfit allowance;
- Moving/preparation allowance;
- Research support expenses;
- Medical care;
- All participants will have opportunities to do internships at Japanese companies during their stay in Japan (ex.
summer break); - All participants are encouraged to participate in “Business Programme” such as Japanese language lesson,
Business Skill Seminar, Networking event with Japanese Companies etc., conducted by JICA duringthe stay in Japan.
The participants are not permitted to work while they are in Japan.
Participants should take care of all expenses and necessary procedures in Japan on their own. It is strongly recommended that families be invited only after six months upon arrival in Japan. JICA does not provide any support or additional financial assistance except issuing necessary documents for the process.
Participants will need to make financial provision for excluded expenses including:
- Passport fees (for re-issuance and extensions, etc.);
- Visa fees of a transit country and transportation expenses to obtain Visa
- Transportation expenses to obtain Japanese Visa
- Domestic travel expenses in the home country
- Departure tax
- Airport tax/airport facility charges outside of Japan, including third countries
- Customs duty
- Excess baggage charges
- Compensation for lost and/or damaged baggage
- “No show charge” to the transit airport hotel (non-refundable)
- Lost - ticket fee
- Accommodation fee for day-use hotel in return flight
- Transportation expenses other than official programmes
- Telephone bill or mini-bar tab at accommodation
- Medical costs related to pre-existing illness, pregnancy, and dental treatment
- Medical cost related to the same illness over 180 days
- “National Health Insurance” fee
Application process
To apply for the SDGs Global Leader programme, kindly submit the application documents to the DHET via email at
Applicants should submit the following document packages for SDGs Global Leader Programme
- SDGs Application form Application form in excel file format together with other sheets of the document. Documents file must be labelled with applicant’s names.
- SDGs Application form in PDF format, signed by applicant and endorsed by employer with Annexes 1,2&3
- Certified copy of university degree certificates and academic transcripts
- Copy of Passport or National ID
- Certificate of English proficiency if available
Applications must be typewritten and all the yellow parts on application form completed. N/A should be used where it is not applicable and not be left incomplete.
Please read the General Information document carefully to ensure that you meet all the requirements and that you submit all the relevant documentation.
Contact
For further enquiries, please contact Ms. Eva Nderumaki at JICA South Africa Office
Documents and links
2025 General Information (G.I.) with Supplemental Information for South Africa
Application Form of SDGs Global Leader
SDGs Global Leader University Information
SDGs Global Leader: Supplemental Information for South Africa for 2025
Current and Previous Work, Research Plan and Career Plan after Graduation
List of WITHOUT Pre-matching University Information
Preliminary Consultation form for University
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
