The Japan International Cooperation Agency has announced the 2026 recipients of the S.D.G.s Scholarship programme, who have successfully earned spots to study in universities across Japan enhancing their academic knowledge and building their skill sets in their various fields of study.
The five were announced in a small but moving ceremony that was held at the J.I.C.A. office at S.N.P.F. Plaza in Savalalo that attracted close family and friends of the recipients.
Also there were the Public Service Commissioner Member Naea Fuimapoao Beth Onesemo, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Commission Aootumua Kolone Tikeri, and Tauiliili Sarona Esera, Assistant Secretary – Human Resource Development and Principal Officer – Bilateral Relations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Angela Ula.
The successful applicants are from different government institutions including the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.)’s Samoa Meteorology Division, and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.).
They are;
Alice Taligi Apulu (Master of Social Development and Administration, Graduate School of Social Design Studies, Rikkyo University),
Nukufetau Muaulu (Master of Public Management and Policy, Graduate School of International Relations, International University of Japan),
Seruia A Loama (Master of Business and Administration, Graduate School of International Management, International University of Japan),
Patisepa Maugata Milikini (Master of Policy and Sustainability Science, Graduate School of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University),
and Manu Solomona (Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Sustainability and Tourism).
J.I.C.A. Resident Representative Furuta Shigeki congratulated the recipients, noting that the Sustainable Development Goals Global Leader Program, or S.D.G.s Programme, provides for the two countries shared vision for a better and more sustainable future.
He said that achieving these goals require more than policies and programmes – it requires people to people with knowledge, skills, leadership, commitment and a strong understanding of the challenges facing their communities and countries.
Adding that this is where education and human resource development play such an important role before reminding the recipients soon they will begin an exciting and important chapter of their professional and personal journeys and studying in Japan will provide them with an opportunity to deepen their academic knowledge.
He urged they take full advantage of the experience and to learn from professors and fellow students, engage with people from different countries and cultures, experience Japanese society and its values and to observe how Japan approaches development challenges.
Most importantly, they were encouraged to reflect on how the knowledge and experiences they gain can be applied to Samoa.
Reminding that as ambassadors of Samoa, they won’t just be representing their respective organisations and Samoa, but also for the relationship between Samoa and Japan, so he encouraged them to maintain strong connections with one another and with Samoa throughout your studies.
The built networks crated there will be an important source of knowledge, collaboration and partnership in the future he said and hoped they will return with new academic and professional knowledge, and importantly new ideas, perspectives and friendships that you can share with others.
“And perhaps most importantly, I hope you will consider how you can use your new knowledge to contribute to Samoa’s development and to the achievement of the S.D.G.s.”
SAMOA GRATEFUL FOR INVESTEMENT FROM J.I.C.A. IN ITS FUTURE
Samoa Public Service Commission Member, Naea Fuimapoao Beth Onesemo on behalf of the Government of Samoa and the commission reiterated on Japan and Samoa’s strong bilateral ties and the long-standing relationship founded on mutual respect, friendship and collaboration.
Pointing out the programme as an initiative born from that enduring partnership between the two governments continues to support Samoa’s development efforts in many areas including human capital development.
She thanked the Government of Japan for these capacity building and scholarship program opportunities reflecting on how returning graduates are making significant contributions across different sectors including government, the private sector and in the communities.
“And all of these contribute to our overall national development plans progressing our nation in terms of prosperity.”
Since 2019 a total of 19 Samoan scholars have benefitted from this scholarship programme and the additional 5, Samoa will continue to build its numbers and further strengthen the country’s human resources capacity she reaffirmed.
She thanked the Government of Japan for investing in the development and future of the Samoan people in various fields such as education and professional opportunities.
Naea also congratulated the recipients and reminded them they were the chosen group – many apply but few attain what is required to receive these scholarships.
She reminded this programme is an opportunity, a privilege and responsibility and so urged the recipients to make good use of it, and to embrace every learning opportunity to build meaningful networks, skills and knowledge so that they can be applied and make positive meaningful impacts on the development of Samoa.
THE PROGRAMME
This is a long-term training programme of J.I.C.A., administered under the Knowledge Co-Creation Programme, an initiative of the agency that aims to develop human resources in various fields through technical cooperation, providing participants with opportunities to gain specialised knowledge, skills and experiences that can be applied to the development of their own countries.
Since 1972 to 2025, 1,628 Samoans have gone to Japan under K.C.C.P. and while it primarily offers short-term training opportunities in Japan, its S.D.G.s program is unique – it provides participants with long-term opportunities to study at the doctoral, masters, and undergraduate levels.
The programme allows J.I.C.A. to support talented individuals from Samoa by providing them with an opportunity to further their education and develop their professional knowledge and skills.
The journey of Samoan scholars under this programme began in 2016, when it was known as the Pacific Leaders Program, or P-LEADs, four Samoans were among the first to receive scholarships at that time he told the audience.
Since then, the programme has continued to open doors for Samoans to pursue higher education and strengthen their knowledge and skills in Japan.
“To date, 29 Samoans have been awarded scholarships under the J.I.C.A. SDGs Programme, including the five scholars we are announcing today,” according to the J.I.C.A. Resident Representative.
The Agency believes that investing in people is one of the most important investments that can be made for the future.
“The five recipients selected for the 2026 intake have demonstrated their commitment and potential, and we are very pleased to support them as they take this step in their academic and professional journeys.”
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