Kushagra, An Indian National, Wins the Fully Funded MEXT Scholarship to Study His Master's at Tohoku University in Japan

Hi, I am Kushagra from India with a Master's degree in System Information Science from Tohoku University. My interest in computer vision began during my undergraduate studies and led me to pursue a PhD in this field.

MEXT Scholarship Details

I received the University-recommended MEXT Scholarship through the AIQDS program at Tohoku University, which offers an amount equivalent to the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship.

Educational Background

My educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, with a 7.8 GPA. My undergraduate studies focused on practical engineering rather than research, after which I worked as a software engineer for about a year.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the MEXT Scholarships and Tohoku University?

To prepare for the MEXT scholarship, I developed a research proposal under the guidance of my undergraduate professor, which was then accepted by my current professor. I also took the TOEIC exam to demonstrate English proficiency and achieved a score of 925/990, although it's not required for those who previously studied in English. I conducted extensive research on the scholarship, which led me to discover the AIQDS program, a path I highly recommend.

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

Looking back, I would have liked to have started the process earlier, researched the available programs more thoroughly, and read books on MEXT before applying to any program. This would have helped me better understand the requirements and plan more effectively.

How was your experience at Tohoku University? Was the Master's degree in System Information Science taught in English?

I feel that I’ve learned some things, but most of them were self-taught. The program is more focused on research than on academic coursework. We’re expected to read research papers and do a lot of independent study. The quality of the research experience really depends on the lab you join, so it can vary a lot from person to person. Each student is part of a different lab, and the lab environment has a much bigger impact on the experience than the program itself.

If I had to rate the program on its own, I’d probably give it a 7 out of 10—mainly because the university has a good reputation, which brings a lot of opportunities for jobs, scholarships, internships, and student exchanges.

Yes, my master’s program was conducted in English, so there was no need to know Japanese.

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

For those looking to apply for a similar scholarship, I advise finding a suitable supervisor and developing a strong research proposal. Conduct extensive research on programs and scholarship opportunities, and read available resources on MEXT, particularly the books by Travis Senzaki. Preparing for standardized tests like TOEIC in advance can also be beneficial.