Kathmandu, August 3 Japanese Ambassador Kikuta Yutaka, hosted a send-off party for Nepal’s government officials who will be studying in Japan under the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) at his official residence in Tahachal on Friday. The JDS offers Nepal’s young government officials two-year Master's Degree courses and three-year Doctoral level courses in reputed Japanese universities. This year, a total of 22 government officials -- 20 studying for a master's degree and two for a PhD -- will leave Nepal this month to obtain their degrees in Japan. After completion of studies, the JDS fellows are expected to engage in formulating and implementing socioeconomic development plans and evolve as leaders in Nepal, as well as contribute to strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Nepal. On the occasion, Ambassador Kikuta extended congratulations to the JDS fellows who had been selected and encouraged them to gain as much knowledge and experience as possible, as well as to deepen their understanding of Japan. Ambassador Kikuta remarked that they would utilize their knowledge and experience gained in Japan to carry out their work in a steady and reliable manner and to play an important role in Nepal's development upon their return to Nepal. The ambassador also expressed his appreciation for the establishment of the JDS Alumni Association of Nepal (JDSAAN) by JDS returned fellows this year and encouraged JDS fellows to get involved in the JDSAAN's activities after completing their studies and returning to Nepal. This brings the total number of government officials who have been allowed to study in Japan by JDS to 187, including the 22 JDS fellows who are visiting Japan this month. People's News Monitoring Service.