2013 Panasonic Scholarship for Master Students, Japan

Applications are accepted and selected by the Panasonic Scholarship offices in the 8 applicable countries/area: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and India.
Panasonic will accept applications for the “2013 Panasonic Scholarship” under the terms and conditions stated below.

(1) Application-related

1. Eligibility

1) Nationality:

Applicants must be citizens of the applicable countries/area.

2) Educational Background etc.:

Applicants must be graduates or pending graduates of universities and have a distinguished academic record and must have completed 16 years of school education or have been accepted as eligible for enrollment at the targeted graduate schools. However, applicants must have completed their bachelor degrees no more than 4 years prior to the date of their arrival in Japan.

3) Specialization:

Applicants must major in any one of the science, technology and engineering fields.

4) Japanese Language Proficiency:

Applicants must have the desire to master the Japanese language not only for studying at master’s level but also for understanding Japanese culture.

5) Health Conditions:

Applicants must be medically fit and must be strongly motivated to study in Japan.

6) Others:

1. Applicants must be interested in and have the desire to contribute to the development of the applicable countries/area and to promote friendship between the applicable countries/area and Japan.
2. Applicants must obtain a student visa and arrive in Japan by end of March 2013 to attend the award ceremony to be held at Panasonic Headquarters at the beginning of April 2013.
3. Applicants who are receiving or will receive other scholarships including Japanese Government Scholarships are not eligible for the Panasonic Scholarship.
4. Applicants who are already enrolled at graduate schools in Japan at the time of applications are not eligible for the Panasonic Scholarship.
2. Number of Students to be Accepted
   Not more than 26 students in total (in the 8 applicable countries/area)


3. Assistance and Scholarship



1) Before Arrival in Japan

The assistance to be provided before arrival in Japan is described below. Details will be forwarded to Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) later by the Panasonic Scholarship office in the applicable countries/area.

1. Application Fee and Entrance Fee Assistance
   “¥100,000” (or equivalent amount in other currency designated by the Panasonic Scholarship office in the applicable countries/area) to be provided for enrolling as a research student.
2. Traveling Cost to Japan
   “One-way economy-class air ticket between the applicable countries/area and Japan” (or equivalent amount) to be provided.
   However, expenses such as inland transportation from Panasonic Scholarship student’s (incl. nominated student’s) place of residence to the nearest international airport, airport tax, airport usage charges, special taxes on overseas travel and travel expenses within Japan will be borne by Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students).

2) After Arrival in Japan

The scholarship to be provided after arrival in Japan is described below. The duration of the scholarship is limited to 3 years in accordance with the standard education periods as follows: 1 year for a research student and 2 years for a master's course at graduate school. However, the duration of the scholarship is to be shortened accordingly in case where the student's course of study is less than the standard education period.

*Panasonic highly recommends Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) to be a research student for 1 year in order for them to improve Japanese proficiency, to contact with Japanese culture and to set the basic direction of future research theme.

1. Research Student of Graduate School

Basic Scholarship	¥150,000 per month
Tuition Assistance	Actual Amount (a maximum of ¥200,000 to be paid each half year)

2. Master's Course of Graduate School

Basic Scholarship	¥180,000 per month
Entrance Fee Assistance	Actual Amount (a maximum of ¥250,000 to be paid)
Tuition Assistance	Actual Amount (a maximum of ¥250,000 to be paid per each half year)

4. Forms and Applications
   Applicants must submit the following documents by the deadline to the Panasonic



1) Documents to be submitted

1. Application form
2. A letter of recommendation from the academic advisor of the university the applicant graduated from
3. Study and research plan in Japan
4. Original university transcript (a photocopy is not acceptable.)
5. A certified copy of the applicant’s degree
6. 3 copies of recent photographs (taken in the last 6 months), size 4x3cm, upper half of the body from the front with head uncovered.
   The applicant’s name is to be written on the reverse side and 1copy must be affixed to Application form No.1 .
7. Recent Medical Report (The report must be compiled by the health institute nominated by the Panasonic Scholarship office in the applicable countries/area.
8. * Learning History/Master Plan of Japanese
   * Learning History/Master Plan of Japanese shall be submitted only by those who attend the final interview.

2) Deadline for submission :

Please ask the Panasonic Scholarship office in the applicable countries/area. *Any application received after the deadline shall not be accepted.

5. Selection and Notification
   Please ask the Panasonic Scholarship office in the applicable countries/area.

(2) Requirements for Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students)

1. Enrollment in Graduate School and Duration of Research
   Panasonic searches a student with passion for studying at graduate school for 3 (three) years. In concrete, Panasonic searches those who;

1) obtain an informal consent from the academic adviser and finish application for enrollment as a research student within 2012,

2) enroll in graduate school as a research student in April 2013,

3) then enroll in a master’s course in April 2014 and

4) complete a mater’s degree in March 2016.

2. Japanese Language Proficiency Test
   Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) are required to obtain N4 or above of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) to be conducted in the applicable countries/area at the beginning of December 2012. In line with this, Panasonic recommends a student who has never learned Japanese to start a preparation for Japanese learning before attending the final interview. Panasonic may ask questions in easy Japanese at the final interview.
   Besides, it is said that a student enrolling in a master’s course should reach N1 or above of JLPT in order for them to successfully study and research at a graduate school.

(3) Notes

Please take note the following.

1. Procedures Before/After Arrival in Japan

1) Acquisition of Passport

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) must compile responsibly all the necessary documents, follow the required procedures and preparations for getting a passport and bear expenses related.

2) Acquisition of Student Visa

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) must compile responsibly all the necessary documents, follow the required procedures and preparations for getting a student visa and bear expenses related.

3) Acquisition of Admission Approval from Graduate School

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) must compile responsibly all the necessary documents, follow the required procedures and preparations for enrolling as a research student such as getting an admission approval from a graduate school.

4) Reservation of Accommodation

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) must compile responsibly all the necessary documents, follow the required procedures and preparations for reserving an accommodation and bear expenses related.

5) Application for Alien Registration

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) must compile responsibly all the necessary documents, follow the required procedures and preparations for applying for the alien registration and bear expenses related.

6) Subscription to Medical Insurance

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) must compile responsibly all the necessary documents, follow the required procedures and preparations for subscribing to the National Health Insurance and bear expenses related.

Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) are recommended to refer to the Student Guide to Japan issued by Japan Student Services Organization on all initial expenses incurred after arrival in Japan.
The first scholarship payment will be made in April 2013.
2. Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) are required to observe Panasonic Scholarship’s Rules and follow instructions given by the Panasonic Scholarship office in Japan and the applicable countries/area, and to submit the necessary documents such as a monthly report, Japanese language progress report, Notice of Informal Consent issued by your target professor and Notice of Admission etc. without delay.


3. Panasonic reserves the right to suspend temporarily or terminate immediately the scholarship if Panasonic finds Panasonic Scholarship students (incl. nominated students) to be in violation of the scholarship conditions. Panasonic also reserves the right to claim a partial or full refund of the scholarship, entrance fee assistance and tuition assistance amount previously-provided when a serious violation of the principles and objectives of the Panasonic Scholarship is found.


4. The documents submitted shall not be returned under any circumstances.


5. Should any points be unclear to you, please contact the Panasonic Scholarship office in the applicable countries/area.

For further information, please visit the official website at www.panasonic.net