Ph.D. Environmental Engineering Student Jorge Enrique Ascencio-Damian from Peru Shares His Journey of Studying at the University of Osaka, Japan

My name is Jorge Enrique Ascencio-Damian. I am from Peru, and currently I am pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Engineering, focusing on the recovery of aquatic ecosystems polluted with heavy metals at the University of Osaka. My motivation started since my childhood when I saw several rivers and lakes in the Peruvian highlands that were polluted, unable to sustain aquatic life, and were also inadequate for human consumption. This led me to pursue research towards the goal of contributing to the solutions of pollution problems, not only in my home country but also in other impacted areas.

MEXT Scholarship details

I have been successfully awarded the MEXT scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan two times: during my bachelor's degree and to pursue my master’s and PhD degree. During my first period, the program involved the preparation in Japanese language, and pre-university education with courses of Math, Chemistry, and Physics, all in Japanese. After the evaluation of your academic records, you are allowed to apply to a university of your choice. On the other hand, in the postgraduate program, the most important requirement is the research plan, which can be later adjusted during a period before entering the master’s or PhD program, called “research student period.” During the master’s, some credits which can be earned by taking classes are required; however, during the PhD, the degree is fully focused on research with fewer classes compared to the master’s.

Educational Background

Before applying for the bachelor scholarship, I was studying at a university in my home country, which is quite well-known due to its overall lower records compared to standards; thus, rather than the overall GPA, the student’s capacity is measured as the merit order in the promotion. Based on this, I was in the High Tenth merit order. During my stay at that university, I learned most of the necessary content that was required during the scholarship examinations. During the postgraduate application, having the knowledge acquired from a Japanese university allowed me to clearly understand how research is conducted at Japanese institutions, and therefore submitting a strong research proposal, which led to the acquisition of the scholarship.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Osaka?

Most of the details of the scholarships, including their application flow, can be obtained from the Japanese embassy’s website. When applying to the postgraduate program, it is important to have at least 3 target universities. The way to decide which university should be your top priority is by carefully reviewing each university’s website and each laboratory. To apply for the postgraduate scholarship, I took the TOEFL exam. The preparation involved mainly mock tests and revising examination tips on social media.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the MEXT Scholarship?

You have to carefully revise each document is complete and prepare for the application tests, which include language tests (English and Japanese), and math, chemistry, physics, and biology tests in the case of the undergraduate scholarship. I revised the previous tests, which are available on the embassy’s website.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

It is important to show how motivated you are and also highlight your strong background. Adding other activities and your language skills is a plus.

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

I think good preparation for the final interview is necessary. Regarding that, I would have practiced with the help of someone to improve my confidence.

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

Show your skills, proactivity, and eagerness to outstand other candidates. Keep yourself active in many volunteering activities, have good grades, and try to acquire new skills.