More than 150 alumni of Japan-funded scholarships—including those supported by the ADB–JSP, MEXT, JICA, the IMF, and the World Bank—gathered today (10 October) in Dhaka for the first joint alumni event of these programmes in Bangladesh.

The ADB–Japan Scholarship Programme (ADB–JSP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Bangladesh Resident Mission hosted the event in collaboration with MEXT, JICA, the IMF, and the World Bank. The gathering celebrated how education and international partnerships transform society and help build a knowledge-based, poverty-free future.

Distinguished guests included Shinichi Saida, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh; Tomohide Ichiguchi, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh; Shigeo Shimizu, ADB Executive Director for Japan; and Hoe Yun Jeong, ADB Country Director for Bangladesh, further highlighting the event’s significance.

Reflecting on the event’s impact, Hoe Yun Jeong said: “We take pride in seeing that Japan-funded scholarships, particularly through the ADB–JSP, have empowered scholars to become leaders. As alumni continue to apply their knowledge and skills, they contribute to advancing socio-economic development throughout Asia and the Pacific. The Japan-funded scholarship programmes remain committed to supporting human capital development and reducing poverty.”

The event recognised how scholarship alumni drive positive change in their communities and highlighted the collective impact of Japan’s long-term investment in building human capital in Bangladesh.

Japan-funded scholarships consistently support Bangladesh, reflecting the nation’s strong commitment to higher education and global collaboration. The ADB–Japan Scholarship Programme alone awards around 135 graduate scholarships each year in fields such as economics, business and management, science and technology, and development studies.