young Batswana win Japanese scholarships

Three young Batswana – two females and a male – leave for Japan April 1, 2019 on an educational scholarship to further their studies in their chosen fields. The three, Boitumelo Mokoka, 23, of Phalane ward in Molepolole; Onameditse Lulu Seaba, 24, from Moremi in Tswapong and Leeme Arthur Baruti, 30, of Serowe – were unveiled by Japanese Ambassador to Botswana Kozo Takeda last Friday during a ‘Friends of Japan’ reception at his residence in Gaborone’s Extension 11 surburb. In an interview with The Midweek Sun, the three expressed extreme gratiude to the Government of Japan and its Ministry of Education for having selected them for the opportunity to study for Masters at Japanese Universities. Boitumelo, who did her first Degree in International MBA at the University of Botswana, is going to do her Masters at Waseda University in Tokyo whilst Onameditse, who completed her first Degree at the Palapye-based Botswana International University of Science and Technology, will do her Masters at Kyushu University in the Sukuoka Prefecture. The only male – Leeme, completed his Bachelors of Science in Environmentsal Health at University of Botswana and will do his Masters at Sophia University in Tokyo. The three told The Midweek Sun that funds and circumstances permitting, they would like to go up to PhD level. They all promised to assert themselves diligently during their two and half years of study in Japan and to return to their home country upon completion to contribute towards the nation’s economic development. In a separate interview, Ambassador Takeda said he will work vigorously to increase the number of students being sent to Japan every year. The reception was held in honour of Japanese student alumni and was graced by among other dignitaries, Masiela Mandoze, the Deputy Town Clerk at Jwaneng Town Council.