On the 9^th of January 2012, KDI School welcomed 30 KOICA Fellows from 28 countries. The 2012 Fellows are among the first batch of students under the Master in Development Policy program, a new addition to KDI School’s roster of courses.

With the mission to nurture the future leaders from developing countries, KOICA or the Korea International Cooperation Agency developed its Scholarship Program in 1997, almost at the same time as the KDI School’s establishment. The Scholarship Program is fully committed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is determined to expand its efforts to nurture future talents from developing nations and promote their sustainable economic growth and social development. It is but ideal that KOICA has partnered with KDI School in the areas of public policy, public administration and economics, given KDI’s preeminence in the field. This enduring partnership has been ongoing since 1999 as both institutions share a common goal of narrowing the knowledge gap between the developed and the developing countries.

What do 2012 KOICA Fellows have to say about this opportunity? Erica Perez Campos (2012 MDP, Honduras) finds the school requirements demanding but she is ready to forge on, encouraged by her already enhanced knowledge in public finance. Hadiza Mai-Sule (2012 MDP, Nigeria) is also grateful to KOICA for allowing her to study in one of the best schools for development policy. Lwin Myo (2012 MDP, Myanmar) has nothing but praises for KOICA and KDI School: “Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime, so we have to grab it and experience it to the fullest.” Myo has happily adjusted to his life in Korea despite the different culture and climate. Andrew Prakash (2012 MDP, Solomon Islands) is glad that his office—Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination—nominated him for the KOICA scholarship. His recently acquired understanding of rural and regional development will help him in the implementation of his actual work. All the 30 Fellows unanimously extended their deepest gratitude to the Korean government, KOICA and KDI School for

To learn more about KOICA’s pioneering activities, please visit its official website at http://www.koica.go.kr/english/main.html

By Maria Charmaine GUEVARA (2012 MDP, Philippines)