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Search to find potential candidates for Scottish business scholarships to Japan

The search is on to find a candidate for the 2010 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship, a charitable fund which enables Scottish students to study at Japanese universities which has been initiated by the Japan Society of Scotland. Last year saw Glasgow-based student, Graham Riach, named as the first recipient of the newly created business scholarship. 27 year old Mr Riach, a student at the University of Glasgow, was the first beneficiary of the award, which enabled him to study intensively last summer at the International Christian University in Tokyo. He travelled to Japan for a period of two months.

The scholarship is open to young people who are at a post secondary educational level. Preference is given to candidates who have a business focus in their interest in Japan. The scholarship will fund them to travel to Japan to undertake a period of intensive study of the Japanese language at the International Christian University (ICU) Summer Programme from the beginning of July, for 6 weeks, until mid August 2010. The scholarship will provide a grant of £5,000

Chairman of the Japan Society of Scotland, Professor Stuart Picken, says, “2009 saw the creation of the business scholarship to encourage more graduates to learn Japanese and gain work experience in Japan. Last year’s beneficiary Graham Riach was an extremely worthy scholar. He has a profound interest in both the culture and language of Japan and showed clear objectives as to how he would use the skills and knowledge gained from the scholarship experience to develop his business career. By awarding the scholarship, the Japan Society of Scotland is providing a great opportunity for young Scots”.

Mr Graham Riach, last year’s recipient of the scholarship, says, “It was an honour to be the first recipient of the Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Management scholarship. I developed a love of the Japanese language and culture while living in Tokyo when I was 21. It had been an ambition of mine since then to return and to study the language in more depth.” .

“Today, Japan stands as one of the world’s most powerful countries and learning the language is crucial for integrating oneself into Japanese society and the Japanese way of life. I believe that the opportunities offered by this scholarship will show how we can build closer business and educational links between Scotland and Japan. The trip was inspirational, and will be invaluable in my further studies when I complete my undergraduate degree in English Literature and French at Glasgow University this year.”.

“I hope that I can become a role model and encourage more Scottish graduates to learn Japanese and gain work experience there.” .

Named in recognition of the Scottish entrepreneur Thomas Blake Glover who was born in Aberdeenshire in 1838, the scholarship is sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management. Glover settled in Nagasaki in 1859 where he established an agency for his employers, the Scottish trading house, Jardine Matheson and Co. He played a critically important in opening Japan to the west and became known as the Scottish Samurai. He introduced the first railway locomotive to Japan and started the Kirin brewery. He influenced the development of Mitsubishi as an industrial conglomerate.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management says, "Aberdeen Asset Management is delighted to support this scholarship for the second year. The scholarship is a way of encouraging Scottish students to experience Japanese education, industries and lifestyle and an opportunity to forge new partnerships with the country, which has one of the world’s largest economies. We hope that the next scholar can emulate Glover’s ability to bring eastern and western cultures together."

Preference will be given to candidates who have a business focus in their interest in Japan. Applications can be made in either hard copy or digital form and should take the form of no more than 2 pages outlining the candidate’s background, interest in Japan and reasons for wishing to study the Japanese languages.

Applications should be sent to Tim Steward, Secretary, Japan Society of Scotland, 21/5 Leopold Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5LB or email tims@spidacom.co.uk. Interviews will take place in March.