How a Pakistani Engineer Secured the Fully Funded MEXT Scholarship for a Master's in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Tokai University

Hi everyone! My name is Ali Raza, and I am from Pakistan. I was awarded the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship through the University Recommendation Track to pursue a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2021-2023) at Tokai University. Currently, I am working as a Project Associate in the mobility sector at a foreign company in Tokyo.

MEXT Scholarship Details

The MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship offered by the Japanese government. The benefits of this scholarship include: Full tuition fee coverage (100%), Monthly stipend: Undergraduate: JPY 120,000 per month, Master’s: JPY 147,000 per month, Doctorate: JPY 148,000 per month, One-time round-trip air ticket (from your home country to Japan and back)
In my opinion, the stipend is more than sufficient, especially if you live outside major cities.

Educational Background

I completed my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from PIEAS University, Pakistan (2017-2021), with a CGPA of 3.55/4.00.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for Tokai University and the MEXT Scholarship?

Scholarship Application Process: The MEXT Scholarship has two main application tracks: Embassy Recommendation: Applicants apply through the Japanese embassy in their home country, and University Recommendation: Applicants apply directly through a university in Japan.

At the start of my final undergraduate year, I began preparing to apply for the MEXT Scholarship via the University Recommendation Track. This application process typically opens around September/October for the following year’s fall intake, meaning it takes approximately one year from application submission to starting studies in Japan.

One of the advantages of MEXT is that SAT scores and IELTS/TOEFL are not required if your undergraduate studies were conducted in English. I focused on finding a university, a professor, and preparing a strong research plan.

Through a random Google search, I found a university that was offering the MEXT scholarship in MS Electrical Engineering. I prepared my research plan and other required documents and submitted them to the university. After the document screening, I was invited for an interview, and fortunately, I was selected for the scholarship.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my research plan played a crucial role in my selection, as I aligned it with the professor’s current research interests. Additionally, during the interview, I expressed genuine enthusiasm for both the research and Japanese culture. Speaking a few Japanese words also helped make a positive impression.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I only applied to one university—fortunately, I was selected. However, if I were to apply again, I would apply to multiple universities to increase my chances of securing the scholarship.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I highly recommend applying through the University Recommendation Track as it generally offers more scholarship slots than the Embassy Recommendation Track.

The University Recommendation Track has two pathways:
1. Professor Recommendation (where a professor nominates the applicant).
2. PGP (Priority Graduate Program): In my opinion, PGP is easier to get because it has more available scholarship slots.

Studying in Japan is a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend this scholarship.
Best of luck!