The Japan funded Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) wants to see an increase of Solomon Islands female applications to study in Japan Universities.
This was one of the goals set for the next batch in their 3rd meeting last week by the JDS Operating Committee to determine the recruitment and selection methods for the second batch.
The committee is composed of representatives from the Ministry of National Planning and Development Cooperation (MNPDC), the Ministry of Public Service (MPS), the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), the Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Speaking to Solomon Star, JDS Solomon Islands Chief Advisor, Ms. Asano Yoko said, the JDS align Solomon Islands Government development priority, especially National Development Strategy (NDS) where gender equality is one of the focus areas.
She said, the gap is huge at the first batch experience as only a female applicant went through to the selection process with three males.
The Solomon Islands NDS 2016 to 2035 Medium Term Strategy (MTS) 7: Improve gender equality and support the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
In this MTS, the inclusion of participation of women, people with special needs and other vulnerable and disadvantages groups in decision making, is prioritised.
JDS just started and sent the scholars of the first batch at the end of July.
Ms. Yoko said the Operating Committee members support the increase of female applicants for the second batch.
She added that with the approval of the recruitment guidelines for the second batch of scholarship students at the meeting, the application process has officially begun last week.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
