Stories from the Field 05

Networking among JDS Alumni Returned from Japan
– Fostering Young Mongolian Government Officials into Leaders who will Contribute to Solving Development Challenges –

A general meeting of the JDS Alumni Association held in Mongolia with the participation of faculty from the accepting Japanese universities (Photo: JICE)

Mr. Ganzorig serving as Head of the Development Financing Division, Development Financing and Public Investment Department, Ministry of Finance

Ms. Naranchimeg, Head of the Payments and Settlements Division, Treasury Department, Ministry of Finance

Mongolia, known as a friendly country with a strong affinity for Japan, is blessed with abundant underground resources. However, for medium- to long-term economic growth, the challenge it faces is channeling these resources into economic and further industrial development. For this reason, emphasis is placed on improving the administrative capacity of its governmental bodies for the development of an appropriate institutional structure, as well as for the formulation and implementation of sound financial plans, by training young government officials responsible for the future of the country.

Japan cooperates with Mongolia, through the grant aid “Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS),” to help young government officials study at graduate schools in Japan, aiming at fostering future policy makers of Mongolia. Since the country became a JDS recipient country in 2001, more than 400 young government officials have studied in Japan, 375 of whom have already obtained master’s or doctoral degrees. After returning to Mongolia, they are making great success in various fields, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Mongolia, and other central government agencies.

Mr. B. Ganzorig studied at Saitama University for two years from 2017 under the JDS project. After returning to Mongolia, he returned to his previous position at the Ministry of Finance and currently serves as Head of the Development Financing Division, Development Financing and Public Investment Department. Mr. Ganzorig says that the experience of studying in Japan helped advance his career, explaining, “In recognition of my master’s degree in economics obtained in Japan, I was promoted to the Head of the Development Financing Division, Development Financing and Public Investment Department, and became involved in policy finance.” He also explains the positive outcomes of his study in Japan, saying, “When making policy investments, I take what I learned in Japan as a guideline. That is to say, I have become capable of appropriately allocating the necessary funds for priority policies, keeping in mind that the profits from Mongolia’s mineral resources should contribute to national development.”

Similar to Mr. Ganzorig, Ms. L. Naranchimeg also took part in the JDS project from the Ministry of Finance of Mongolia and obtained her master’s degree in economics from Saitama University in 2020. Currently, she is Head of the Payments and Settlements Division, Treasury Department. Ms. Naranchimeg describes the outcomes of her study in Japan through the JDS and says, “What I learned in Japan is the importance of conducting analysis and planning in advance of starting a project. After returning to Mongolia, I became involved in the introduction of a government-led online payment system in response to the demand that increased with the rise of remote work amid the spread of COVID-19. We steadily advanced our projects with foresight and were able to provide services to a wide range of people across the country. I am happy to hear that the work style I learned in Japan serves as a role model for my colleagues and subordinates.”

As for other outcomes, besides academic accomplishments, Ms. Naranchimeg says, “The connections I made with JDS alumni are also significant outcomes that have helped me in my work since returning home.” Furthermore, Mr. Ganzorig explains, “I leverage my experience of studying in Japan to serve as a Mongolian counterpart for Japanese cooperation projects. I also serve as a liaison to the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia and to the JICA Mongolia Office.” In Mongolia, the “JDS Alumni Association Mongolia” has been established, through which a network is built among graduates returned from Japan, Japanese academic institutions, the Embassy of Japan, and JICA. Its members strengthen the bonds among alumni, who are back in Mongolia and work actively at Mongolian governmental bodies, through various opportunities such as follow-up seminars on fellows’ return home and farewell parties for new fellows departing to Japan. They also talk about using the knowledge and experience they cultivated in Japan to benefit Mongolia and the world.

In 2023, seven JDS alumni, including Mr. Ganzorig and Ms. Naranchimeg, published their co-authored book entitled “Challenges in Fiscal and Monetary Policies in Mongolia” with the cooperation of their academic advisers at Saitama University. This book presents analysis and economic models useful for policy making in Mongolia. It includes an analysis of the current state of Mongolia’s economy, suffering from the so-called “Dutch disease” in which the export of natural resources leads to a decline in the domestic manufacturing industry, its impact on financial management, and measures to enhance the governance capacity of sovereign wealth funds.

It is expected that Mongolia’s qualified young government officials who have gained knowledge and experience in Japan will demonstrate leadership and promote economic development in Mongolia, while promoting friendship and understanding with Japan.