Mymensingh:Bangladesh Matching a student's research field with that of the supervising professor significantly enhances the likelihood of securing the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship, according to Japan Embassy official Yu Aoyagi.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Mr. Aoyagi, who heads the Public Relations and Culture Section at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, emphasized this point during his speech at "The Japan Education Seminar 2026" held on Saturday morning. He highlighted that the number of seats available for embassy recommendation is very limited, usually around ten.
Feedback from students over the past three years revealed that aligning their research topics with those of their supervising professors was a key factor in successfully obtaining the MEXT scholarship. Mr. Aoyagi advised students to identify professors whose research fields align with their own. He also mentioned that "Navi Japan" could assist students in finding universities with English-medium programs and determining where to apply.
The seminar took place at the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Auditorium of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and was a joint effort by the Japanese Universities Alumni Association in Bangladesh (JUAAB) and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh. Attendees included BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Sarder, who served as the chief guest, and JUAAB President Prof. Dr. ATM Zafrul Azam, who presided over the event.
Prof. Azam noted that competition has intensified due to a reduction in the quota for government scholarships in Japan, although there are growing opportunities for private scholarships and research funding. Many students benefit from tuition fee waivers of 80 to 90 percent through agreements with various universities.
Prof. Dr. Sarder highlighted the expanding opportunities for higher education and research in Japan, facilitated by institutional agreements and a robust alumni network. He also pointed out Japan's diverse offerings in scholarships and research opportunities, supported by advanced research infrastructure and cultural similarities that attract Bangladeshi students.
He encouraged students to learn Japanese under the University Grants Commission's third language policy and to communicate with Japanese university faculty to enhance their chances of pursuing higher education and research opportunities in Japan.
Dr. Md. Imdadul Haque and Dr. Md. Masud Rana shared their personal experiences of studying and conducting research in Japan. The seminar also covered topics such as Japanese university admission requirements, the MEXT scholarship application process, research proposal preparation, supervisor selection, and post-study employment opportunities. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session for students.