World Bank Scholarships Program

Video Testimonials by JJ/WBGSP Alumni

February 2026

Alumni
Events

Testimonials from JJ/WBGSP Alumni and Scholars

2024

Lydia Girsang
KEIO UNIVERSITY (2024), JAPAN
I strongly encourage women to apply for this scholarship to create a lasting impact on future generations.
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Lydia Girsang
Fizzo Chidakwa
ERASMUS UNIVERSITY (2024), THE NETHERLANDS
The most rewarding part of my JJ/WBGSP-funded studies has been to tap into the global crystal of pragmatic skills and to meet with minds from across the world all solving the same problem with a strong drip of culture.
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Fizzo Chidakwa

2022

Anita Apau
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (2022), USA
As an alumnus, one piece of advice I would give to anyone pursuing the JJWBGSP scholarship is that one should start the application process as soon as possible when the application window opens.
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Anita Apau
Anju Gautam
KIT — ROYAL TROPICAL INSTITUTE — VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT (2022), THE NETHERLANDS
In addition to acquiring new knowledge and skills, immersing myself in a different culture and interacting with people from various backgrounds with disparate views was immensely rewarding. It enabled me to reflect on my own culture and values while also fostering strong personal and professional relationships.
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Anju Gautam
Atsuhiro Oguri
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (2022), USA
The Scholarship Program enhanced and maximized my learning experience at school, allowing me to commit my entire energy to build my foundation in econometric analysis and statistical programming at the professional level.
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Atsuhiro Oguri
Takeo Tokunari
HARVARD UNIVERSITY (2022), USA
Pragmatically solving global complex environmental problems must be challenging, but pursuit of systemic impact in such fields must be very rewarding too if I manage to orchestrate the effort of diverse experts and multi-faceted stakeholders.
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Takeo Tokunari
Ei Ei Swe
NATIONAL GRADUATE INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES—GRIPS (2022), JAPAN
My advice to potential applicants is that they should trust themselves and highlight their achievements for the development of their country.
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Ei Ei Swe
Armine Yaralova
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2022), USA
Studies of international aspects of public policies provide an opportunity to get insights and best examples of other emerging and developing countries, as well as their policy reforms, success stories and failures.
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Armine Yaralova

2017

Marcio Marcelino
ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM (2017), THE NETHERLANDS
In Brazil, the quality of life for many is crippled by poor, public transportation systems. As an architect and urban planner, Marcio integrates creative solutions with practical design processes to help solve mobility issues and enhance the country’s development.
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Marcio Marcelino
Mari Noguchi
ERASMUS UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE ( 2017), THE NETHERLANDS
In Japan, investing in human capital and development has helped strengthen the lives of women like Mari who continue to pay it forward by working with NGOs to make lasting impacts.
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Mari Noguchi
Veronica Rasolofomanana
WILLIAMS COLLEGE (2017), USA
In Madagascar, Veronica was living in an impoverished region with her husband and children frustrated by the existing social and financial conditions. As these issues continued to manifest, she decided to invest in the development of sustainable and economic opportunities for her country with the invaluable support of her family.
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Veronica Rasolofomanana

2015

Iqbal Hamad
INSTITUTE FOR HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM (2015), THE NETHERLANDS
In Jordan, climate change scenarios could result in reduced agricultural productivity and water availability placing more pressure on its natural resources. Iqbal's research in urban development will help shape the lives of future generations.
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Iqbal Hamad
Niswatil Mouna
YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (2015), JAPAN
In Indonesia, Niswatil felt privileged to receive a fully funded college education which led her to pursue her graduate degree abroad in an effort to educate and reform economic development at home.
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Niswatil Mouna

1997–2011

Sai Bo Bo Htet Aung
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (2011), UNITED KINGDOM
In Myanmar, the current health care system causes many chronic illnesses to go untreated, but advocates like Sai are developing treatments to provide future generations with healthier futures.
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Sai Bo Bo Htet Aung
Augustus Cadette
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (2010), USA
Fascinated with the opportunity to study public policy to meet the unique needs of Saint Lucia, Augustus’s U.S experience afforded him the rare opportunity to ascend his professional career and contribute to his country’s social reform.
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Augustus Cadette
Roberto Prado De Vasconcellos
LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS (2005), UNITED KINGDOM
For Roberto, leaving Brazil to study abroad afforded him a new and dynamic understanding of the legal system through a global lens.
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Roberto Prado De Vasconcellos
Cybele Diaz-Wionczek
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2005), USA
Cybele’s commitment to complete her study abroad courses to benefit existing and future leaders of Mexico outweighed the many challenges she faced moving to the U.S.
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Cybele Diaz-Wionczek
Carmen Lazo
HARVARD UNIVERSITY (2005), USA
Growing up in El Salvador during a civil war framed the reality of Carmen's world. These tensions led her to study development economics, a journey in which she embraces responsibility and leadership in an effort to promote prosperity and peace for her community.
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Carmen Lazo
Dr. Shaheen Ashraf Shah
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (2005), UNITED KINGDOM
Dr. Shah's unwavering commitment to water reform programs and gender equality in Pakistan has introduced the need for more inclusive conversations with often forgotten marginalized groups such as the rural poor and women.
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Dr. Shaheen Ashraf Shah
Melania Mujut Ywa Shayanewako
YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (2004), JAPAN
As a chief economist in Zimbabwe, Melania works with policy makers to reduce vast economic disparities and influences critical conversations that will lead to their country’s transformation.
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Melania Mujut Ywa Shayanewako
Ali Khan
ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (1997), THAILAND
In Pakistan, Ali’s work in technology transfer agreements help to positively contribute to the country’s GDP. Developmental projects like these provide social and economic optimism.
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Ali Khan

Over the past 12 months, the Secretariat has ramped up its Program promotion efforts. It also endeavored to connect more with scholars and alumni through a series of networking events that helped maintain engagements with scholars and alumni and leverage their success stories for promotional activities.

February 2027 Event
The transformational effect of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) was on display once again on February 27, 2026 at Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Active scholars came together with Noaya Jinda, the World Bank Executive Director for Japan, faculty from Harvard Kennedy School and Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management, and representatives of the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat. The networking event, organized by the Secretariat, brought together nine scholars from eight countries — all mid-career professionals whose studies are being funded by the program.
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February 2027 Event
October 10, 2025 Event
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On October 10, 2025, JJ/WBGSP scholars representing diverse regions of the world gathered at Columbia University in New York City to share their experiences as beneficiaries of the Program — a flagship partnership that continues to empower professionals from developing countries and from Japan to pursue graduate studies at leading universities around the world.

The event brought together active scholars enrolled at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and at Yale School of Management to reflect on the program’s impact, strengthen connections within the growing global network of JJ/WBGSP beneficiaries, and explore new ways to enhance collaboration between scholars, the Government of Japan and the broader World Bank community.

The event also featured a presentation by a World Bank DEC Data Scientist n Data360, a newly unified data portal that integrates over 300 million data points across more than 200 economies, consolidating and curating development indicators, analytics, and reports in one place. The presentation underscored how Data360 is designed to improve the coherence, discoverability, and usability of development data, making it easier for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to access reliable data for development projects.

The afternoon concluded with renewed appreciation for Japan’s vision and the collaborative spirit that defines the JJ/WBGSP. For scholars, it was not only a chance to express gratitude, but also to see themselves as part of a larger story—one that connects classrooms in New Haven and New York to ministries in Lagos, Lahore, and beyond.
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October 10, 2025 Event
October 9, 2025 Event
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On October 9, 2025, the Secretariat supported the organization of a similar event in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Around 200 alumni of scholarships funded by Japan—including those supported by ADB-JSP, MEXT, JICA, IMF and the World Bank convened in Dhaka for the first joint alumni gathering of Japan-funded scholarship programs for Bangladesh.

This milestone gathering brought together key stakeholders and alumni to celebrate the impact of education and international partnership and to reaffirm their commitment to building a knowledge-based, poverty-free society. The event highlighted how the alumni are driving positive change in their communities, highlighting the power of education, and recognizing the collective contribution from various Japan-funded scholarship programs to human capital development in Bangladesh.

Distinguished guests included the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, the JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative, the Executive Director for Japan at ADB, and the ADB Country Director for Bangladesh, among others.
June 26, 2025 Event
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On June 26, 2025, the Secretariat supported the organization of an ADB-Japan Scholarship Programs event in Manila, Philippines. Hosted by the Asian Development Bank, theoHosted by the Asian Development Bank, the event targeted about 300 alumni of scholarship programs funded by the Government of Japan, including those of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MECT), JICA, IMF and the World Bank. The objectives were to:
- Strengthen Philippine alumni networks across programs: This was the first alumni event being organized in collaboration with other Japan funded scholarship programs. This opportunity intended to foster broader professional connections among Filipino scholars and expand their networks beyond the programs they have completed.
- Share best practices with other scholarship programs: The event provided an opportunity to share respective best practices in scholarship program management, highlighting lessons learned based on the successful outcomes of these programs.
- Recognize Japan’s contribution to human capital development in the Philippines through its scholarship programs.
April 3, 2025 Event
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On April 3, 2025, the Secretariat supported the organization of a lunch meeting in Tokyo WB Office that provided an opportunity for over 20 scholars enrolled in major Japanese universities, faculty members, and JJ/WBGSP alumni to interact and engage with DEC leadership and representatives of the Japanese government. The objectives of the event were to foster a deeper understanding of current economic policies and trends, enhance the scholars’ academic and professional development, and strengthen the network between the scholars, World Bank, and Japanese government. The event also helped enhance the scholars’ understanding of the World Bank’s role and initiatives in global development.

JJ/WBGSP SCHOLARS & ALUMNI PROFILES

TAKEO TOKUNARI
JAPAN
The collective intelligence and network of like-minded future/current leaders would be a strong and joyful asset that remains effective years after graduation.