Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Katsumi Hamada of the Cooperative Association for Yomiuri Shimbun Distribution Services based in Tokyo, Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a scholarship grant of five young professionals who will undergo a three-month intensive Japanese Language training in the presence of Fumio Mizuno.
The signing was held through a virtual meeting held at the Governor’s Office yesterday morning.
Likewise, the governor also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with OISCA Bago Training Center represented by its directors Shigemi and Thelma Watanabe as the official training institution that will handle the Japanese language training of qualified Negrense scholars.
This program is an education and career support endeavor aimed at honing young professionals to be proficient in Japanese language so that they will be able study and work in Japan for two years while paving their future.
Mizuno, in his speech, expressed his gratitude to Lacson for his full support of the scholarship program. He said he is very happy to announce that out of 16 scholars who studied in Japan for two years, 11 decided to stay and work in Japan through this program.
Vanessa Viñas, on behalf of the grantees, thanked the governor for giving them this rare and unique opportunity to be able to study Japanese language and eventually work in Japan for a very long time.
Meanwhile, Board Member Agustin Ernesto Bascon, Sangguniang Panlalawigan chairman of the committee on education, lauded the scholars for passing the very rigid selection process, adding that he will continue to do his best to assist the governor in terms of legislation.
Lacson thanked the generosity of the Cooperative Yomiuri Shimbun Distribution Services officials for opening new doors of possibilities and opportunities to Negrense scholars.
He reiterated to the scholars the importance of responsibility and loyalty, adding that they are carrying the name of the province of Negros Occidental.
Also present during the signing were Karen Dinsay and Thea Marie Palacio of the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division, and April Joy Duran of Special Programs and Concerns Division./WDJ