DepEd7, JICE Screens Nominations for Exchange Program for Japan

The Department of Education (DepEd) 7 is currently selecting regional nominations among public school students for an all-expense paid exchange program to Japan for this school year.

Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) recently partnered with DepEd for the Japan East-Asia Network for students and Youth (JENESIS 2.0) that aims to spread an understanding of Japanese values and culture through the youth exchange program.

The program will accept a total of 184 students and 16 supervisors (teachers) whose stay in Japan will be cared of by the Japanese government.

Applicants will be nationally screened and ranked by the Department of Education.

Recently, DepEd Region 7 Education Program Supervisor for the exchange program Dr. Marcelita S. Dignos, together with the National Committee spearheaded the selection process amongst short listed applicants in Region 7. The regional selection process includes paper screening, essay writing and oral interview. However, the final interview will be done by Usec. Rizalino Rivera.

Out of the 85 students and 17 teachers who were selected in regional level, only 46 students and 4 teachers will be chosen by the national committee to join the first batch this coming September.

In an interview, Dignos clarified that students and teachers who applied for the first batch can no longer apply for the second and third batch if in case they didn’t make it. This is to give chance to other students, she said.

One of the five students selected from Region 7 was Charmaine Y. Quinones of Cebu City National Science High School.

In an interview Quinones said the visit to Japan will be a great drive for a youngster like her to innovate more especially being a science high student.

“If Filipino youth will go to Japan, they will be more competent…become open to other cultures, and can help establish close ties with other nations” said Charmaine Y. Quinones, a regional nominee.

Cheradee P. Dela Cerna, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) teacher at Cebu National Science High school described Quinones as “someone who has the potential and competencies to represent Cebu City to Japan.”

“I would like to inform them that you have to dream really big…I felt so empowered to do more and invest on the youth…and push them to reach their dreams” said Dela Cerna.

Meanwhile, Dignos strongly supports the nominees in region 7 through mentoring and providing the students with due encouragements for them to pass the national selection.

“If they’ll be chosen, I want them to be themselves…be behave and friendly, and be equipped physically and mentally” said Dr. Marcelita S. Dignos, Education Program Supervisor – Coordinator for Foreign Language Program Region 7.

The first batch of nominees is expected to leave for Japan on the 8th of September for a nine-day culture exchange program. The second batch will be in November while the third batch will leave in February next year.

Photo above: Charmaine Y. Quinones (middle) with her schoolmates. (Contributed Photo)