MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL The Asian Development Bank (ADB)–Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) was established in April 1988 with financing from the Government of Japan. The program has so far provided more than 3,000 students from ADB’s developing member countries with an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in Asia and the Pacific. The 2014/2015 academic year marks the 21st anniversary of Mongolian citizens’ acceptance into the program. In the last 20 years, the ADB–JSP has helped 125 Mongolian citizens to advance their education in various academic institutions in Asia and the Pacific. Today, the ADB–JSP scholars are working in both the government and the private sector across Mongolia—in education, business, banking and finance, and other sectors—and are making positive contributions to the country’s development. We are proud of our scholars and we continue to stay in touch with them as they progress in their chosen careers. This ADB–JSP publication for Mongolia contains general information about the program, as well as success stories of some Mongolian ADB–JSP scholars and alumni. We believe that their stories will encourage many more Mongolian citizens to become ADB–JSP scholars and realize their dreams for Mongolia’s development. Together with the Mongolian ADB–JSP alumni, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the government and the people of Japan for their generous contribution and continued support to the ADB–JSP. Ayumi Konishi Director General East Asia Department Asian Development Bank 3 THE SCHOLARSHIP Who are Eligible? • Must be a national of an ADB-borrowing member country (applicants from countries that are no longer ADB borrowers are not eligible for the scholarship). • Must have gained admission to an approved master’s degree program at an academic institution. • Must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, with a superior academic record. • Must have worked full time for at least 2 years (after acquiring a university degree) at the time of application. • Must be proficient in oral and written English. • Must not be more than 35 years old at the time of application. In exceptional cases, for academic programs intended for senior officials and managers, the age limit is 45 years old. 4 • Must be in good health. • Must agree to return to his or her home country after completing the studies under the ADB–JSP Program. Who are not Eligible? • Executive directors, alternate directors, management, and staff of ADB and their relatives, as well as consultants of ADB. • Staff of academic institutions. • Those living or working in a country other than their home country. • Those who have previously studied abroad. • Those who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs or are pursuing a second master’s degree. • Those already applying at a designated institution in their own country. • Those needing support solely for undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminars, thesis writing, and research projects. What are the criteria for the selection of ADB–JSP scholars? • Qualifications of the candidate. • Ranking priority or order of merit proposed by the designated institutions. • Preference for women candidates. • Preference for applicants with lesser financial capacity. • Consideration for diversification of nationality in the overall ADB–JSP Program and at each designated institution. • Preference for studies in line with the core areas of ADB Strategy 2020, which address poverty reduction through infrastructure, environment, regional cooperation and integration, financial sector development, and education. Strategy 2020 sets ADB’s strategic course for its operations to the year 2020. The Scholarship 5 WHAT OUR ALUMNI FROM MONGOLIA SAY ABOUT THE ADB–JSP PROGRAM The graduate program gave me valuable insights into sustainability science concepts and transdisciplinary approaches to solving environmental challenges and problems. I did a research in environmental economics, specifically on the impact of industrial (gold mine) technology on water quality, and was able to publish the study results in an internationally peer-reviewed journal and present them at several international academic conferences. During my internship at the Asian Development Bank Institute in Tokyo, I completed a country report on climate change mitigation in Mongolia. The knowledge and experiences I acquired through that internship helped me a lot in planning my future career. I wholeheartedly thank the ADB–JSP for helping me obtain my graduate degree. As a proud ADB–JSP scholar, I hope that I will be able to contribute to solving national and regional environmental problems. Bayarlkham Byambaa Graduate School of Frontier Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan Master of Engineering in Sustainability Science October 2009–September 2011 The Australian National University gave me a world-class education and friends from diverse backgrounds. On my return to my country, I started working for a sustainable rural development program, whose aim is to build herders’ capacity to adapt to climate change by introducing new techniques for sustainable pasture management. The knowledge I gained at the university will surely help me contribute to the success of this program and also be the platform for my future growth as a professional. The ADB–JSP scholarship is a life-changing experience for many young Asian women who want to have an active part in the development of their countries. Thanks to the 6 scholarship, I have grown both professionally and individually, and I am now able to contribute to the sustainable development of Mongolia. Tuvshintungalag Boldbaatar Crawford School of Economics and Governance, Australian National University Master of Environmental Management and Development Studies June 2011–July 2013 I did a research on a mechanism of Stevens–Johnson syndrome with severe eye complications caused by the administration of general over-the-counter medications against cold and viral infections, the results of which I presented at two scientific research conferences. I completed my master’s degree and I am now enrolled in the doctorate program at the University of Tokyo. I am most grateful for this opportunity to study in Japan, along with many other international students, and to experience the culture of many other countries, especially that of Japan. Azzaya Enkhbayar Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan Master of Public Health April 2012–March 2014 Many say that the world power is shifting from north to south and west to east, so I am convinced that the timing of my graduate studies in Asia, particularly in Singapore, is perfect! Besides my public policy studies, I have been exposed to various ongoing development trends like social entrepreneurship during my time in the university. I would love to do more in this field after I graduate, as this will provide me with a more hands-on approach to the problems of unsustainable development and inequality in Mongolia and in the region. I thank ADB and the Government of Japan for making all of these possible. Enkhzul Orgodol National University of Singapore Master of Public Policy August 2013–May 2015 What Our Alumni from Mongolia Say about the ADB–JSP Program 7 Mongolia is a small country with a 24-year-old democracy. Most of its 3 million citizens are young people in their 30s. As a part of the young generation of Mongolia, I have a strong desire to be a leader who can steer our future in a progressive manner. This country has vast tracts of land and world-class natural resources, which have attracted many investors. If these resources are properly used, the country can develop and prosper. I would like to be a part of that change. Mongolia needs proper and modern public administration, policy, and management regulations in all sectors. I had quite a few reminders of the urgency of that need in the 5 years I worked on various projects after finishing law school at the National University of Mongolia in 2008. That is why I decided to study public administration at the University of Hawaii. Graduate school will allow me to understand better and find legislative solutions for complex issues like legal reform policy, environmental protection, health care, and other administrative and policy matters. The ADB–JSP scholarship at the East–West Center is a dream come true. It is a great opportunity, not only to advance my career but also, and more importantly, to contribute to the development of my country. Solongo Tsetsegmaa East–West Center, University of Hawaii Master in Public Administration August 2014–June 2016 Studying in the international environment of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University gave me the unique opportunity to meet other students from different cultures and languages, and to study and compare the policies of the different countries. I would like to express my gratitude to the ADB–JSP for providing me this unique experience. My research was on the impact of employment, childcare costs, and government policies on the fertility decisions of women of reproductive age in Mongolia. I am fully confident that I can contribute these knowledge and experiences I gained from the university in solving the problems of my country. Lkhagvasuren Ariunbolor Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies September 2012–August 2014 8 Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program I first heard about the ADB–JSP program while working at the Judicial General Council of Mongolia as head of human resources. Receiving news about my acceptance to the scholarship was one of the happiest moments of my life. Mongolia was in transition to democracy at that time and legal reform was underway. Thus, I chose to study law and governance so I could help improve the performance of the sector that I have been working in.