Panasonic Scholarship: Opportunities for Higher Education in Japan

The scholarship award ceremony for master courses in Japan to three outstanding students of Vietnam sponsored by Panasonic Corporation was recently held in Hanoi. The three students who proudly received the Panasonic Scholarship for the academic year 2009-2012 are Nguyen Binh Minh, lecturer assistant of Hanoi University of Technology; Nguyen Manh Minh Toan, lecturer assistant of Hanoi Water Resources University; Tran Nam Nghiep - lecturer of Can Tho University. In March 2009, these three students will officially come to Tokyo University and Kyoto University of Japan to begin the school term after four-month Japanese learning course in Vietnam.  

Mr Shinya Abe, General Director of Panasonic Vietnam Co., Ltd. said that the above three students excellently surpassed 37 candidates to win Panasonic Scholarship 2009 with their research thesis which were highly valued on its feasibility and definitely will make great contribution to Vietnam’s social-economic development in the near future. In detail, the three subjects are: “Reducing torque ripple and expanding speed range of brushless direct current motor drives and application of brushless direct current motor in electric vehicle” (by Nguyen Binh Minh); “Applying mathematical models in research and forecast about alteration of river-bed and propose construction technique measures” (by Nguyen Minh Manh Toan); “Optimum Distillation Process and Equipment for Rice Wine Distillation in Mekong Delta, Vietnam ” (by Tran Nam Nghiep) .

 

Mr Tadaharu Taguchi, President of Panasonic Scholarship Co., Ltd said that we have so far assisted 257 students. As of March 2008, 193 scholars completed their master’s courses through Panasonic Scholarship. Among these scholars, five (5) Vietnamese scholars achieved master’s degrees and the other five (5) are currently researching at universities in Japan.

 

The objectives of Panasonic Scholarship (including living allowance and tuition fee for the student during three-year studying course in Japan) is to provide students from Asian countries with opportunities to study in Japan so that they can later contribute to the development of their home countries, as well as to enhance the cooperation between Japan and Asian countries. Panasonic Scholarship programme not only covers living allowance and tuition fees but also cares about the students’ lives during their studying time in Japan.

 

A part from reviewing monthly studying reports sent by the students, every year, Panasonic Scholarship officers will come to the students’ universities to meet professors in charge of the students, to exchange information for necessary supports to the students in their studying and researching progress. Besides, Panasonic Scholarship Office in Japan also regularly organizes cultural exchange activities for Panasonic Scholarship Students learning in Japan.

 

Prof. Tran Van Nhung, Deputy Minister of Education and Training is very glad to know that 5 out of 10 previous scholars have completed their Master course in Japan. 2 out of 5 students are pursuing Doctor course at the prestigious Japanese universities, 3 Panasonic scholarship alumni are working for famous Japanese and Vietnamese companies. "The scholars have gained certain success in their research. Besides focus on studying, they have set up a good bridge to link different cultures and improve the relationship amongst Vietnam and Asian countries."

 

Panasonic Scholarship Programme in Vietnam was started in 2003. Up to now, ten Vietnamese students have received this scholarship. In the first phase (2003-2007), scholarship was granted to two students each year. From the second phase (2008-2012), three students will be granted with this scholarship each year. Among the Vietnamese students who received Panasonic Scholarship, there were five who graduated of master degree; two out of the above five master degree holders continue Ph.D courses at Tokyo University and Tsukuba University; the other three are working in B&T Electric JSC., (Vietnam), Nami-net (Japan) and Panasonic Corporation (Japan).