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Description: The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is inviting suitable candidates to apply for the 12th Intake of the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative) scholarships for 2025 academic year.
The ABE Initiative aims to support young generation who want to contribute to the development of industries in Africa and bridge the gap between Africa and Japan through deep understanding of Japanese society and business culture.
The programme is open to eligible public and private sector candidates and offers an opportunity to study a Master’s degree at a Japanese university and to undertake an internship programme at a Japanese enterprise.
Degree level
The programme offers a unique opportunity for African youth toStudy for master’s degree at a university in Japan, and
Conduct an internship (up to 6 months) at Japanese firms in Japan.
Deadlines
27 September 2024Who can apply?
South Africa nationals;
From private sector: candidates with experience in economic activities in the local private sectors and who wish to foster strong networks with Japanese companies to help develop Africa;
From public sector: candidates who take part in formulation and/or implementation of industrial policies and wish to contribute to Africa’s development through government activities;
Must be between 22 and 39 years old (as of April 1st, 2025);
Must have a Bachelor’s degree (B-Tech included) with honours or equivalent to NQF8 or above;
Must have achieved a minimum average of 65% in academic transcripts;
Must be proficient in English (university may require proof of proficiency);
Must have at least 6 months work experience;
Must be in good health condition, both physically and mentally, to complete the programme;
Must participate in “Business Programme” such as Japanese language lesson, Business Skill Seminar, Networking event with Japanese Companies etc., conducted by JICA during the stay in Japan;
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.
Refer to the General Information document below for comprehensive details on eligibility.Fields of Study
Candidates with study topics that can contribute to the industrial development of South Africa will be prioritised.Priority will be given to candidates studying in te following sectors:
Energy, minerals and extractions;
Higher Education, Vocational Training, Science & Innovation;
Water and Sanitation;
Manufacturing;
Private Sector Investment and SMME Promotion;
Agriculture;
Transportation systems/ Infrastructure and Automotive industry.
MBA candidates will not be prioritised under the programme.Duration of programme
The 12th Batch ABE Initiative programme starts in September 2025 and includes 2-year Master’s programme and an internship of 2 weeks up to 6 months.Participants are required to return to South Africa upon completion of the programme.
What the scholarship offers
Tuition examination fees, entrance fees, and course fees;
Monthly allowance;
Return Airfare;
Orientation: basic Japanese language course and introductory course for Japanese life;
Outfit allowance;
Moving/preparation allowance;
Research support expenses;
Medical care.
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.
JICA will NOT bear costs other than the allowances described above. JICA is not responsible for the following expenses:
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 ABE Initiative Programme, kindly submit the application documents to the DHET via email at ScholarshipApplications@Dhet.gov.za:Applicants should submit the following document packages for ABE Initiative programme
ABE Initiative Application form in excel file format together with other sheets of the document. Documents file must be labelled with applicant’s names.
ABE Initiative Application form in PDF format with photo, 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
Form of enquiry to university if needed
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 ALL documents carefully to ensure that you meet all the requirements and that you submit all the relevant documentation.
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Fields
Tourism
Accounting
Aerospace Engineering
Agricultural Science
Agricultural Science
Anthropology
Archaeology and Ancient History
Architecture and Design
Artificial Intelligence
Arts and Culture
Astrophysics
Banking and Finance
Biochemistry
Biological Sciences
Biology
Biomedical Science
Building Technology
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Communication
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Criminology
Data Science
Dentistry
Ecology
Economics
Education
Engineering
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Science
Epidemiology
Food science Technology
Forestry
French
Geographic Information Systems
Geography
Geosciences
Health Science
History
History of Art and Film
Horticulture
Hospitality and Management
Human Kinetics
Human Resources
Humanities
Information Systems
IT
Journalism
Journalism
Law
Library
Library and Information Science
Linguistics
Literature
Machine Learning
Management
Marine Science
Marketing
Material Engineering
Material Science
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Media
Medicine
Microbiology
Modern Languages
Museum Studies
Music
Neurobiology
Neuroscience
Nursing
Nutrition
Office Technology Management
Peace and Conflict
Pharmaceutical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Physiology
Plant Science
Political Science
Politics and International Relations
Psychiatry
Psychology
Public Health
Public Policy
Real Estate
Science
Social Science
Social Welfare
Social work
Sociology
Software Engineering
Soil Science
Space Science
Special Education
Sport Science
Supply Chain
Sustainable Development
Theology
Transportation Science
Urban Planning
Wild-life management
Zoology
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Qualifications
Bachelor
Master
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