The Government of Japan, through its Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship, has once again granted the opportunity to a Samoan national to further his studies in his field at a prominent University in Japan for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The Embassy of Japan in Apia organised a brief pre-departure orientation earlier today (6 March) for the scholarship recipient.
Mr. Arthur Vansan Tofaaiga Fesili, a 28-year-old from the village of Motootua, has been selected to pursue his Master’s Degree in Urban Environmental Engineering at Kyoto University. His research focuses on recovering valuable resources from wastewater, particularly phosphorus, which is essential for agriculture. By improving how these nutrients are reused, his work aims to reduce environmental impacts and promote more sustainable waste management practices.
In Samoa, wastewater treatment plants remove phosphorus but currently lack a system for its recovery and reuse. Mr. Fesili’s research could help develop better methods for resource recovery, benefiting both the environment and future food production. His findings may contribute to more sustainable solutions not only in Samoa but also worldwide.
Mr. Fesili holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is passionate about resource recovery and environmental sustainability and hopes his work will support cleaner and more efficient waste management systems for the future.
The MEXT scholarship program highlights the strong ties between Japan and Samoa and fosters academic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa, H.E. Mr. SUZUKI Ryotaro congratulated the recipient and wished him success in his studies and future endeavours.
Information about Japan’s MEXT Scholarship
The Japanese Government (MEXT) offers several types of scholarships to citizens of the Independent State of Samoa to study in Japan every year. The Embassy of Japan in Samoa conducts the selection of the candidates.
- Specified Training College Students Scholarship (Selection period: June/July)
- Undergraduate Student Scholarship (Selection period: June/July)
- Research Student Scholarship (Selection period: June/July)
The requirements of applicants and the availability of fields of study vary. For more information, interested individuals can:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 21187
- Visit: 2nd Floor, SNPF Plaza
