Yazaki Kizuna Foundation offers scholarships for N.U.S. students
The Yazaki Kizuna Foundation will be offering more scholarships to the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) Foundation students, Bachelor's degree students and PhD students to assist students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yazaki Kizuna Foundation is a non-profit general incorporated foundation in Japan established by Yazaki Corporation.
The foundation provides scholarships to for 10 Bachelor degree students and one PhD degree students every year.
According to a statement issued by the university on Friday, the foundation will be the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation, in consultation with the National University of Samoa, has decided to flexibly address the educational needs of the University.
"Namely, in addition to the basic scholarships, Yazaki Kizuna Foundation will offer scholarships for (50) Foundation students, (20) Bachelor’s degree students and (5) PhD degree students as a one-time special measure in response to COVID-19," the statement reads.
"As a result, scholarships for PhD degree, for example, are offered to 6 students in total this year which makes Yazaki Kizuna Foundation to become the largest donor of NUS PhD Scholarships to date.
According to the statement, the University has also received support from other NUS Scholarship donors such as the Samoa Gambling Authority, Rotary Club, Ministry of Education Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.), Public Service Commission (P.S.C.), Ministry of Finance (M.O.F.).
Yazaki Kizuna Foundation President Michiyo HAMADA said in the statement that this year, they have decided to offer a special measure at the request of the N.U.S President and Vice-Chancellor.
"We strongly hope that NUS students will not be hampered by the COVID-19 calamity, but will achieve their academic aspirations and apply their achievements to their post-graduation activities for the sustainable development of the Independent State of Samoa," she said.
The President and Vice-Chancellor of the N.U.S. Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma said in the statement that he is deeply overwhelmed and excited to acknowledge the extensive scholarships from the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation this year.
"It is a blessing indeed for the National University of Samoa to embrace these Scholarships, simultaneously, we are absolutely grateful to uphold the strong partnership that we have established with the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation in Samoa from the past to present! Most importantly, the (6) PhD scholarships will assist in building research capacity leading to the wealth of research and evidence-informed policies and practices," Aiono said.
"In fact, at the end of the day, the students are the fundamental beneficiaries as a result of the sponsorships being granted; given the quality of the work and service that will be provisioned and received within the confines of the University classrooms.
"More so, the support for continuous learning and research findings will be up to date and current to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in managing future University projects and academic insights for the government as well as the community."