Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia is a program for graduate studies in macroeconomics or related fields at several leading universities in Japan. The objective of the program is to contribute to institutional capacity building of transition and developing economies, by providing educational opportunities to promising junior officials in central banks or in ministries of finance, economy, or planning in East and Central Asia and the Pacific region.¹⁴

For the academic year 2006, 30 new scholarships were awarded, and a total of 51 scholars were studying in Japan under the program.¹⁵ There are two forms of scholarships. Scholars accepted under the “partnership track” participate in specially designed master’s courses offered by one of four partnership universities,¹⁶ whereas the “open track” is available to candidates who have already been accepted to a graduate-level program, at either the master’s or PhD level, in macroeconomics or a related field at any leading university in Japan. The program is currently administered by the IMF’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Tokyo.

A set of skill-refreshing courses (SRCs) is also offered under the program, which aims to better prepare incoming scholars by offering math and English courses prior to commencement of their regular studies at the participating universities. In 2006, 26 out of the 30 new scholars participated in the SRC conducted at the International University of Japan.

Since the first students were accepted under the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia in 1993, a total of 381 scholarships have been awarded, and by the end of the academic year 2005, 276 scholars had graduated from the partnership universities. Table 6 shows the distribution of scholars by their country and organizational affiliation. Most scholars have expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the program and subsequently with the career opportunities that have opened to them. A number have taken up mid- to senior-level positions in their respective agencies, and have direct input into policy initiatives.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies

Japan also provides financial support for a scholarship program for qualified Asian nationals who want to study economics at the doctoral level at one of the leading universities in North America in order to pursue a career at the IMF or in their home country governments. The program covers tuition and reasonable costs for two years of study. Scholars are expected to finance the remaining years of study, typically through additional funding from their universities.

Table 6.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia: Distribution of Scholars by Country and Affiliation, 1993–2007

Table 6.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia: Distribution of Scholars by Country and Affiliation, 1993–2007

Scholars by Country	Total	Percent
China	69	18
Vietnam	65	17
Uzbekistan	44	12
Myanmar	35	9
Mongolia	35	9
Kyrgyz Republic	31	8
Cambodia	29	8
Kazakhstan	28	7
Indonesia	12	3
Tajikistan	9	2
Lao P.D.R.	8	2
Philippines	8	2
Thailand	5	1
Turkmenistan	2	1
Fiji	1	0
Total	381	100
Scholars by Affiliation	Total	Percent
Central Bank	179	47
Ministry of Finance/Tax Authority	86	23
Others	50	13
Economic Affairs Ministry	29	8
Statistics Bureau	19	5
State-Owned Commercial Bank	11	3
Trade Ministry	7	2
Total	381	100

View Table

Table 6.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia: Distribution of Scholars by Country and Affiliation, 1993–2007

Scholars by Country	Total	Percent
China	69	18
Vietnam	65	17
Uzbekistan	44	12
Myanmar	35	9
Mongolia	35	9
Kyrgyz Republic	31	8
Cambodia	29	8
Kazakhstan	28	7
Indonesia	12	3
Tajikistan	9	2
Lao P.D.R.	8	2
Philippines	8	2
Thailand	5	1
Turkmenistan	2	1
Fiji	1	0
Total	381	100
Scholars by Affiliation	Total	Percent
Central Bank	179	47
Ministry of Finance/Tax Authority	86	23
Others	50	13
Economic Affairs Ministry	29	8
Statistics Bureau	19	5
State-Owned Commercial Bank	11	3
Trade Ministry	7	2
Total	381	100

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies (JISP), which is administered by the IMF Institute, began in 1996 with a class of nine scholars seeking to obtain a PhD in economics. In each succeeding year, 15 scholars from Asian countries who have independently gained admission to a leading U.S. or Canadian university in the field of economics have received this scholarship.

An annual orientation program for each incoming group of scholars is conducted at the IMF in Washington, D.C., to introduce scholars to the IMF and to provide them with an opportunity to meet other scholars in the JISP. At the end of the third year of study, scholars are expected to complete a 10- to 13-week summer internship in an IMF department, during which they engage in supervised research and other professional work under the guidance of an experienced IMF economist.

The number of applications received for this program continues to grow, with about 100 applications received in each of the past three years from a growing number of eligible countries. The quality of the applicants remains high, in terms of both their academic record and graduate school examination scores. While participating in the scholarship program, scholars are also required to maintain high grades and good academic standing. The high academic standards of the program are now widely recognized, as evidenced by many distinguished universities in Asia and North America recommending that their students apply. Table 7 shows the distribution of scholars by country since the beginning of the scholarship program, and Table 8 lists the universities attended by the scholars and the number of scholars at each institution during the program.

A total of about 70 scholars have graduated with PhD degrees in economics since inception of the JISP, of whom 16 have joined the IMF staff. Of those 16 JISP alumni who have joined the IMF, 14 were hired through the highly competitive IMF’s Economist Program, which is the main entry point for economists seeking to join the organization after completion of their studies.

During 2004, the IMF Institute, with the assistance of the Institute of International Education, conducted a tracer study to locate and obtain information on the professional career paths and profiles of past scholars, with contact information updated in 2005 and 2006. Table 9 shows the employment of graduates from the first nine intakes—that is, academic years 1996–2004.¹⁷ Notably, scholars express a high degree of satisfaction with the scholarship program and their internships. Efforts continue to reach out to the JISP alumni for more up-to-date and accurate information. In response, modifications have been made to the 2007 annual survey to address this, with added focus on gathering more employment records from alumni in the “other” category (40 percent of graduates).

The IMF is pleased with the demonstrated success of the JISP, which is well regarded by officials of leading universities who continue to report high academic achievements by its scholars. Moreover, participating scholars, particularly those from developing and transition countries, have expressed great appreciation for the generous support of the government of Japan for their studies.

Table 7.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Number of Scholars by Country, 1996–2007

Table 7.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Number of Scholars by Country, 1996–2007

														Total Scholars	Total Percent Representation
		Number of Scholars
														Percent	per Country
Country		1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	(1996–2007)	(1996–2007)
Bangladesh		0	0	2	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	3
Cambodia		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1
China (including
	Hong Kong SAR)	2	5	2	4	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	23	13
Indonesia		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	3	2
Japan		3	7	7	7	7	7	5	7	7	7	8	6	78	45
Kazakhstan		0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	4	2
Korea		2	3	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	18	10
Kyrgyz Republic		0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	3	2
Malaysia		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Mongolia		0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	2	6	3
Myanmar		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0
Nepal		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	1
Philippines		0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	1
Tajikistan		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Thailand		2	1	2	0	0	1	2	0	1	2	2	1	14	8
Uzbekistan		0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	3	2
Vietnam		0	0	0	1	0	1	2	1	2	2	1	0	10	6
Total		9	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	175	100

View Table

Table 7.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Number of Scholars by Country, 1996–2007

														Total Scholars	Total Percent Representation
		Number of Scholars
														Percent	per Country
Country		1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	(1996–2007)	(1996–2007)
Bangladesh		0	0	2	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	3
Cambodia		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1
China (including
	Hong Kong SAR)	2	5	2	4	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	23	13
Indonesia		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	3	2
Japan		3	7	7	7	7	7	5	7	7	7	8	6	78	45
Kazakhstan		0	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	4	2
Korea		2	3	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	18	10
Kyrgyz Republic		0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	3	2
Malaysia		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Mongolia		0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	1	2	6	3
Myanmar		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0
Nepal		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	1
Philippines		0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	1
Tajikistan		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Thailand		2	1	2	0	0	1	2	0	1	2	2	1	14	8
Uzbekistan		0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	3	2
Vietnam		0	0	0	1	0	1	2	1	2	2	1	0	10	6
Total		9	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	175	100

Table 8.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Number of Scholars by University, 1996–2007

Table 8.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Number of Scholars by University, 1996–2007

		Number of Scholars
	University	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	Total
United States
	1. Brandeis University	1												1
	2. Brown University	1	2		1	2	1		1	1		1	1	11
	3. Boston University			1				2		1		2		6
	4. Columbia University			2	3	1	1	1		5	2	1		16
	5. Cornell University		1	2			1					1		5
	6. Duke University	2			1	1		1		1				6
	7. Georgetown University							1	4	1			1	7
	8. George Washington University												1	1
	9. Harvard University			1	1					1				3
	10. Indiana University		1											1
	11. Johns Hopkins University		1					1	1			2		5
	12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology							1						1
	13. New York University			1	2		2	1					2	8
	14. Northwestern University		1										1	2
	15. Ohio State University, Columbus					2						2	2	6
	16. Princeton University										2			2
	17. Stanford University	1	2	3	1	1	1							9
	18. University of California, Berkeley						1					1		2
	19. University of California, Los Angeles		1	3	1	1	1					1		8
	20. University of California, San Diego		1				1				1			3
	21. University of Chicago		1	1		1	2	1	2		2	1	1	12
	22. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign										1			1
	23. University of Maryland, College Park					1	1			1	1			4
	24. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor		2	1	2			1	1				1	8
	25. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis					1		1	1	1	1	2	1	8
	26. University of Pennsylvania	1			2	3	1	1			1			9
	27. University of Rochester	1	1		1				1				1	5
	28. University of Texas, Austin							1			1		1	3
	29. University of Virginia									1	1		2	4
	30. University of Washington, Seattle					1								1
	31. University of Wisconsin, Madison		1				1	1	4	1				8
	32. Vanderbilt University	1					1							2
	33. Yale University	1	1								1	1		4
	Canada
	34. McGill University									1				1
	35. University of British Columbia							1						1
	36. University of Toronto										1			1
	Total	9	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	175

View Table

Table 8.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Number of Scholars by University, 1996–2007

		Number of Scholars
	University	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	Total
United States
	1. Brandeis University	1												1
	2. Brown University	1	2		1	2	1		1	1		1	1	11
	3. Boston University			1				2		1		2		6
	4. Columbia University			2	3	1	1	1		5	2	1		16
	5. Cornell University		1	2			1					1		5
	6. Duke University	2			1	1		1		1				6
	7. Georgetown University							1	4	1			1	7
	8. George Washington University												1	1
	9. Harvard University			1	1					1				3
	10. Indiana University		1											1
	11. Johns Hopkins University		1					1	1			2		5
	12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology							1						1
	13. New York University			1	2		2	1					2	8
	14. Northwestern University		1										1	2
	15. Ohio State University, Columbus					2						2	2	6
	16. Princeton University										2			2
	17. Stanford University	1	2	3	1	1	1							9
	18. University of California, Berkeley						1					1		2
	19. University of California, Los Angeles		1	3	1	1	1					1		8
	20. University of California, San Diego		1				1				1			3
	21. University of Chicago		1	1		1	2	1	2		2	1	1	12
	22. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign										1			1
	23. University of Maryland, College Park					1	1			1	1			4
	24. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor		2	1	2			1	1				1	8
	25. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis					1		1	1	1	1	2	1	8
	26. University of Pennsylvania	1			2	3	1	1			1			9
	27. University of Rochester	1	1		1				1				1	5
	28. University of Texas, Austin							1			1		1	3
	29. University of Virginia									1	1		2	4
	30. University of Washington, Seattle					1								1
	31. University of Wisconsin, Madison		1				1	1	4	1				8
	32. Vanderbilt University	1					1							2
	33. Yale University	1	1								1	1		4
	Canada
	34. McGill University									1				1
	35. University of British Columbia							1						1
	36. University of Toronto										1			1
	Total	9	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	175

Table 9.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Employment of Graduates from the 1996–2004 Programs¹

¹Data based on the results of scholar and alumni annual surveys.

²One graduate from the 2000 program received a fixed-term appointment in the IMF in 2006.

Table 9.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Employment of Graduates from the 1996–2004 Programs¹

											Category
		1996	1997	1998	1999	20002	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
IMF Economist
	IMF Economist Program (EP)	0	0	0	4	2	1	0	0	0	7
IMF economist
	(former EP)	0	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	7
IMF mid-career
	economist	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2
IMF other
	employment	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Other international
	organizations	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Government		1	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	4
Academic position		3	2	5	1	1	1	1	2	1	17
Studies in progress		0	0	0	0	0	10	11	9	10	40
Other		5	8	8	8	11	3	3	2	4	52
Total		9	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	129

¹Data based on the results of scholar and alumni annual surveys.

²One graduate from the 2000 program received a fixed-term appointment in the IMF in 2006.

View Table

Table 9.

Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies: Employment of Graduates from the 1996–2004 Programs¹

											Category
		1996	1997	1998	1999	20002	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
IMF Economist
	IMF Economist Program (EP)	0	0	0	4	2	1	0	0	0	7
IMF economist
	(former EP)	0	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	7
IMF mid-career
	economist	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2
IMF other
	employment	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Other international
	organizations	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Government		1	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	4
Academic position		3	2	5	1	1	1	1	2	1	17
Studies in progress		0	0	0	0	0	10	11	9	10	40
Other		5	8	8	8	11	3	3	2	4	52
Total		9	16	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	129

¹Data based on the results of scholar and alumni annual surveys.

²One graduate from the 2000 program received a fixed-term appointment in the IMF in 2006.