2025 April
Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program
Application Guidelines
Kyoto University
1. Purpose
The Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) provides young Asian scholars the opportunity tostudy abroad at one of six Partner Universities (including Kyoto University) located across five cities in
East Asia. The Program was established in 2014 by Mr. Ronald K.Y. Chao (Vice Chairman of Novel
Holdings Ltd. In Hong Kong), and is administered by Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI). With a vision todevelop future leaders who embrace cultural diversity and play an active role in creating harmony amongnations, BXAI grants up to 105 AFLSP scholarships to elite students in Asia each year. Each Partner
University operates independent selection process for the AFLSP.
2. Scholarship amount and payment method
Monthly amount: Approximately 150,000 – 220,000 Japanese yen
An amount equivalent to 535,800 Japanese yen to cover tuition for one year and 282,000 Japanese yen tocover admission fees shall be paid separately.
*As the scholarship shall be paid in Japanese yen, the actual amount received may vary depending on
the exchange rate, etc.

*The monthly stipend shall be paid into the recipient’s bank account in monthly installments.

*The payment to cover the tuition and admission fees shall be made as a reimbursement after Kyoto
University confirms the payment of those fees through receipts.

*The scholarship shall not be paid until a confirmation of enrollment (invoice) has been submitted tothe designated administration office each month. The scholarship shall be paid only to the recipient
whose confirmation of enrollment (invoice) was submitted. As a rule, the scholarship shall not be paid
if the recipient is absent from the university from the beginning until the end of the month, takes aleave of absence, or is absent for a significant period.

3. Scholarship term
Maximum of two years (extension not possible).
*Note: The continued payment of the scholarship for the second year shall be decided by BXAI and theuniversity based on a comprehensive assessment of the recipient’s reports, academic performance, andconduct, etc.

4. Number of recipients
Approximately five to seven1The number of recipients of the <Kyoto University Special Slot>* is limited to only a few out of the total
number of recipients.
* Previously, eligible applicants were limited to students who graduated from designated universities inAsia (excluding Japan), and who were admitted to a Kyoto University master’s degree program.
However, beginning with applications for entry in October 2022/April 2023, applications will also be
accepted from students who have obtained or expect to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Kyoto
University and who will enroll in a Kyoto University master’s degree program.
Students who graduated from designated universities excluding Kyoto University to enroll in a Kyoto
University's master’s degree program shall be referred to as “General Slot”.
5. Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Only applicants who meet all of the following criteria shall be considered:(1)

Aligned with the mission and philosophy of BXAI and the purposes of the AFLSP, has strong
personal integrity, has an interest in international and intercultural understanding and goodwill, isinterested in addressing issues relevant to the Asian region, and has the potential to become a future
leader who can contribute to good international relations and development in Asia and the world.

(2)

Citizenship of one of the following countries or regions, and prospective status of residence in Japanof “Student” at the time the scholarship is awarded (those with multiple citizenship of Japan andother country(ies) are not eligible).
China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore,
Sri Lanka, Thai, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, East Timor, Philippines, Bhutan, Brunei, Vietnam,Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Mongolia, Laos

(3)

Under 35 years of age at the time of application.

(4)

High proficiency in English (English proficiency at a level roughly equivalent to a TOEFL iBT scoreof 90 or more is preferred) and presentation skills.

(5)Completed a bachelor’s degree at one of the designated institutions below (in the case of those whograduated from a university in China, it must be a university classified as “full-time undergraduate”[全日制本科]), is expecting to complete such a degree at one of the institutions below by thebeginning of the scholarship term, or is currently enrolled in one of the designated institutions below
and has obtained or is expecting to obtain eligibility for enrolment in a Kyoto University master’sdegree program prior to the beginning of the scholarship term.
Japan:

Kyoto University (Only those who apply for the <Kyoto University Special Slot>)

China:

Peking University, Tsinghua University (in Beijing), Fudan University, Zhejiang
University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Nanjing
University, University of Science and Technology of China, Nankai University,Wuhan University, China Agricultural University

Hong Kong:

The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong

Taiwan:National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Chiao Tung

2University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Chengchi
University, National Cheng Kung University, National Chung Hsing University,
National Taiwan Normal University
South Korea:

Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Korea Advanced
Institute of Science and Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology,
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)Singapore:

National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Management University

Vietnam:Vietnam National University, Hanoi, The University of Danang, Hue University,Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City

Brunei:Universiti Brunei DarussalamIndonesia:

Institut Teknologi Bandung, University of Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada,IPB University

Malaysia:

University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Philippines:University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University,
University of Santo TomasThailand:

Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, Thammasat University,
Kasetsart Univerity

India:

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Indian Institute of Technology
Kanpur (IITK), Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), Indian
Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad(IITH), Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR), Indian Institute ofTechnology Madras (IITM), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG),
Indian Institute of Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu
University, University of Delhi, Anna University

Sri Lanka:

University of ColomboMyanmar:University of Yangon, Yangon Technological University, Yezin AgriculturalUniversity, Mandalay Technological University, University of Forestry andEnvironmental Science(6)

Expecting to enroll in a master’s degree program or first year of five-year doctoral program as aregular (degree-seeking) student at a graduate school of Kyoto University in April 2025, and remain
enrolled at Kyoto University as a full-time student for the duration of participation in the AFLSP.

(7)

Recommended by a supervising university professor or other person of equivalent status. [For moredetails, see: 7. Application documents (4)](8)

Never previously received an AFLSP Scholarship.

(9)

In need of financial support.

(10) In sound physical and mental health, with high moral standards, and an outstanding academic record.
(11)

Not be a recipient of any other scholarship or other form of funding support by a third party(12)

Not take up paid employment, full-time or part-time, while enrolled at the university and receiving
the benefit of the scholarship, unless granted permission3(13)

Able to participate in programs and events for BXAI scholars held by BXAI or Kyoto University
during the scholarship term.

6. Requirements(1) Participation in the BXAI Summer Program (an annually held program lasting for approximately three
weeks in the first summer after enrollment of the AFLSP) and other exchange events held as part of theAFLSP during the scholarship term.
(2) Participate and complete the AFLSP program provided by Kyoto University. For the details, please visit
the AFLSP website: https://www.aflsp.kyoto-u.ac.jp/(3) Active participation in international exchange and social engagement activities.
(4) Submission of study reports and activity reports by the designated deadlines.
7. Application documents* All documents must be submitted in English.
* All attached documents should be submitted as PDF files, except for item (5), which should besubmitted in JPEG format.
* All documents should be typed, except for signatures.
(1) Scholarship Application Form (prescribed form), which must be completed by the applicant(2) Research Plan
In any format. Describe the necessity, circumstances that led up to the research plan, connection
to former research in bachelor course, objectives, methods, and expected results of the research.
(3) Essay on a contemporary key issue in Asia
In a free format and no more than two A4 pages. Please find and survey a contemporary key issue
in Asia, and make a proposal on how local or regional leaders could cope with this issue andcontribute to a more peaceful and prosperous Asia.
(4) Letter of recommendation from supervising professor or equivalent. (Use the standard form provided.
At least one letter of recommendation is required. Additional letters of recommendation areoptional. If possible, the letter of recommendation should be provided by the applicant’sprospective graduate school supervisor. If the applicant is not able to submit a letter ofrecommendation from a Kyoto University faculty member because their supervisor has not yet
been determined or for other similar reasons, the letter of recommendation should be provided bya supervisor or faculty member of equivalent status at the university or graduate school in which
the applicant is currently, or was recently, enrolled. There are no particular requirements regarding
the persons who should provide any additional letters of recommendation. Multiple letters writtenby the same person will not be accepted.)(5) Photograph of the applicant. (Head-and-shoulders image with no headwear, taken in the last six months.
To be submitted as a JPEG file.)(6) Certificate of English Proficiency (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, etc.)(If applicable, issued in either Japanese or English)4(7) Copy of the university diploma (if the applicant graduated from a university).
The diploma must have been issued by the university from which the applicant graduated.
Note: If the applicant has completed a master’s degree, they must submit two diplomas (bachelor’s andmaster’s).
(8) Certificate of enrollment (if the applicant is expecting to graduate from a university).
The certificate must bear the university’s official stamp.
(9) Academic Transcript
Submit with GPA and scale.
The transcript must bear the official stamp of the university from which the applicant graduated orexpects to graduate from, and must be issued in English.
(10) Declaration of Understanding and Agreement for an International Student Scholarship Application.
(Use the standard form provided. Complete in either Japanese or English.)(11) Letter of Admission from a graduate school at Kyoto University. (Issued in either Japanese or English.
In case that applicants cannot submit by the deadline, they must mention about that and submit
as soon as they obtained.)(12) Copy of Residence Card (both sides). (Only those who live in Japan at the time of application. In casethat applicants cannot submit by the deadline, they must submit after entering Japan.)(13) “教育部学歴証書電子注冊備案表” or “教育部学籍在線験証報告”
Note: This is required only if the applicant graduated or will graduate from a designated university in China.
8. Application dates and procedures
Application procedure:Applicants must send all application documents in PDF format and send them all at once in a single ZIPfolder.
The digital version of the application documents must be sent to the email address below:
AFLSP@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Application period: November 1 (Fri) to 12 (Tue), 2024 (closes at 5:00 p.m. Japan time).
Applications (including video) shall not be accepted under any circumstances if they are submitted outside
the application period, by any method other than the one specified above, or in an incomplete form. Oncesubmitted, the application documents are not returnable.
9. Selection and notification of results
The primary screening will be based on the application documents. Those who pass the primary screening
will then be required to take an interview.
Note: The interview will be held in Mid- or late December. Applicants must attend the interview at thedate and time specified by Kyoto University. Requests to change the time or date of the interview will
not be accepted. Applicants who fail to attend the interview at the designated date and time will be5

disqualified from the application process.
Deadline for applications↓Mid- to late- November: Stage 1 Screening (document screening)
Screening of application documents by the Kyoto University selection committee↓
Early December (tentative): Notification of the results of the Stage 1 Screening (by e-mail)↓Mid- to late- December (tentative): Stage 2 Screening (interview)
Interview conducted by the Kyoto University selection committee* Those who pass the Stage 1 Screening will be provided with further information about the interview ata later date.
↓
Early January (tentative): Notification of the results of the Stage 2 Screening (by e-mail)↓TBD: Interview conducted by BXAI Leaders and Board members
10. Suspension or termination of scholarship(1) Scholarship payments shall be cancelled if any of the following applies to a recipient:a. Leave of absence, extended non-attendance, or withdrawal from the university.
Note: Notification of such absences/withdrawal should be given to the scholarship recipient’s AFLSP
coordinator at least six months in advance.
b. Subject to disciplinary action by the university.
c. Circumstances which are deemed an impediment to academic progress or course completion.
d. Failure, without legitimate grounds, to attend an event or activity conducted as part of the AFLSP.
e. Judged unfit to be a scholarship recipient for other reason(s).
(2) The scholarship award shall be revoked if any falsities are discovered in the recipient’s application
documents.
11. Points to note
(1)

Recipients may be required to repay part or all of the scholarship if it is determined that a fraudulent
act has been committed.

(2)

In the event that there are interpretation discrepancies between different language versions of theseApplication Guidelines, the Japanese language version shall be deemed the official version and shallgovern in any conflict.

12. Regarding the handling of personal information
Personal information provided at the time of application and personal information related to theapplication will be used for the scholarship screening process. The information may also be used6

for the general management of financial support data within the university, and for themanagement and screening of other projects within the university to facilitate its provision ofappropriate support.

13. Inquiries
Please address any inquiries to:
AFLSP Coordinator, International Student Division,
International and General Education Promotion Department, Kyoto University
Yoshida Nihonmatsu-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
E-mail: AFLSP@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on weekends and national holidays)*We do not accept inquiries other than those regarding the AFLSP at Kyoto University, or requests for
information on selection results. Inquiries are accepted in Japanese or English only.

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