The fields of study in the JDS Programme are called Sub-Programmes (target priority areas) and Components (development issues). By obtaining doctoral degrees in these fields, JDS fellows are expected to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for formulating and implementing social and economic development plans in Nepal.
Unlike the Master’s Program, the Doctoral Programme does not specify which universities the applicants can apply to. The applicants are expected to search and choose an appropriate university in Japan for their academic goals.
- Applicants should have a clear understanding of the objectives of the JDS Program and desire to contribute to the development of Nepal upon return to Nepal after completing the study.
- Applicants’ research theme should be relevant to the Development Issues of Nepal referred to in the framework of Sub-Programmes and Components of JDS.
- Applicants should receive a recommendation from the supervisor of his/her current workplace (The reference Letter should contain the evaluation of the applicant’s performance at work and the relevance of his/her research theme to his/her career).
- Applicants should have an acceptance from the expected academic advisor(s) of the applying university before applying to the JDS Program.
- Applicants must be expected to complete the course within, and not exceeding three (3) years.
Fields of Study – Sub-programmes and Components
| Priority area (Sub-programme) |
Development Issues (Component) |
Presumed research fields and preferred major subjects* |
Number of Acceptance per batch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Social and economic development which directly leads to economic growth and the national livelihoods improvement |
1-1. Financial Policy, Economic Policy |
National development policy, macroeconomic policy, fiscal policy, monetary policy, tax policy, econometrics, investment environment development, industrial promotion policy, foreign investment promotion policy, business environment development, international development cooperation, foreign aid, and debt management, etc. | 2 |
| 2. Governance enhancement and basic framework development for democracy |
2-1. Development of Human Resource and Administrative Capacity of Civil Servants |
Decentralization, local administration, administration, personnel management policy, fiscal management, local self-governance, labor policy, public policy, etc. | |
| 2-2. Building of International Relations |
International politics, international economy, foreign policy, South Asian regional integration, diplomatic relations between Nepal and other countries, Nepal’s development as a landlocked country, relations with developing countries, international diplomacy on labor issues, labor politics, migration issues, etc | ||
| 2-3. Improvement of Legal andJudicial System |
Civil law, criminal law, corporate and commercial law (including bankruptcy law), and Laws for trade and investment promotion, IT laws, intellectual property laws, international treaty laws, etc. |
*It does not mean applicants must choose from the listed study fields.
