BEASISWA AJINOMOTO

Ajinomoto Scholarship for ASEAN International Students
Applications to Open in January 2009 for April or October 2010 enrollment

The Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation was established in 1957 for the purpose of making a contribution to the development of scientific research by nurturing scientists who can contribute to the future of society. Created with an endowment from Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and Saburosuke Suzuki III, a relative of Ajinomoto’s founder and third president of the company (chairman at the time the Foundation was established), the Foundation has to date provided scholarship loans and grants to 1,459 Japanese and overseas undergraduate、 graduate, and postdoctoral students.

History of the Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation:
June 1957 Establishment of the Suzuki Scholarship Foundation
Endowment from Saburosuke SuzukiⅢ (Chairman of Ajinomoto) and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Started scholarship loans to undergraduates and graduate students
April 1991 Started grants (including overseas research travel expenses) for postdoctoral fellows
April 2005 Suzuki Scholarship Foundation changed its name to Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation. Started grants for international students studying in Japan

With the Foundation having passed its half-century milestone and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. due to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, in January 2009 the Foundation will begin accepting applications for a new scholarship available to students from five ASEAN countries (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam), which are a key region for Ajinomoto’s overseas operations. This program, made possible thanks to generous assistance by local affiliates of Ajinomoto in these five ASEAN countries, will enable outstanding students wishing to enroll in a University of Tokyo master’s course (major in one of the sciences) to secure scholarships before their arrival in Japan. We have a plan to continue such scholarship program in the coming years.
Applications submitted during the application period beginning January 2009, are for intended enrollment in the University of Tokyo (www.u-tokyo.ac.jp) in April or October 2010.

Outline of Ajinomoto Scholarship for ASEAN International Students.

Eligibility
Applicants who wish to enroll in a master’s course and major in one of the sciences (except medicine and veterinary medicine) at the University of Tokyo and who fulfill the following requirements and qualifications.
1. Applicants must be citizens of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, or Vietnam.
2. Number of student to be accepted from each country: 1 (one) student, total 5 students from 5 ASEAN countries.
3. Applicants must have graduated or be expected to graduate with an excellent academic record (with 16 years of education completed or expected to be completed) and must receive the recommendation of their university president or academic advisor or be otherwise qualified to enroll in the University of Tokyo.
4. Applicants must have outstanding academic achievement with GPA at least 3.7.
5. Applicants must be under the age of 35 on April 1, 2010.
6. (a) If the applicant wishes to enroll as a Postgraduate International Research Student (hereinafter “Research Student”), the applicant must be able to obtain approval from the University of Tokyo and be registered as a Research Student for April 2010 or October 2010.
(b) If the applicant wishes to enroll directly as a master’s course student, the applicant must be able to obtain approval from the University of Tokyo and be registered as a master’s course student for April 2010 or October 2010.
7. Applicants must have adequate Japanese language proficiency to study as a master’s course student of the University of Tokyo (Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1 or equivalent). Applicants must be able to pass at least Level 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (hereinafter “JLPT”) in a test administered no later than December 2009 (candidates wishing to enter as a master’s course student) or December 2010 (candidates wishing to enter as a Research Student).　However, applicants who wish to enroll in “Information, Technology, and Society in Asia course (hereinafter “ITASIA”)” of Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies does not require above Japanese language proficiency.
8. Applicants must apply from the above 5 countries and be able to attend selection procedures as necessary.
9. Applicants must be in good physical and mental health and have a strong motivation for learning.
10. Applicants must not be receiving other scholarships.
11. All application documents submitted shall not be returned.
12. Only short listed strictly selected candidates will be invited for interview in Ajinomoto and such decision is full authority of Ajinomoto (no correspondences/calls allowed regarding the reason behind such decision making).
13. Should any application points be unclear please contact Ajinomoto office (phone, email & contact person details in page 5 below).