The RYOICHI SASAKAWA YOUNG LEADERS FELLOWSHIP FUND (SYLFF) is a fellowship programme of The Nippon Foundation, a Japanese non-profit foundation administered by Tokyo Foundation under the approval of Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It provides financial support and opportunities to the best and bright students, exhibiting leadership potential and intending to pursue higher education programs in the social sciences and humanities. Starting from 1987, as of now, there are 69 SYLFF endowed universities and consortia in 44 countries of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe and Middle East, North America, Pacific. Since the inception of the fellowship programme in 1987, around 15,000 students have received the fellowship.
http://www.tokyofoundation.org/sylff/about/what_is_sylff
JU-SYLFF Programme
In 2003-2004, Jadavpur University became the First Indian University to earn SYLFF status and receive an endowment of one million US dollars (US$1,000,000) from the Nippon Foundation.
Mr.Yohei Sasakawa, President of the Nippon Foundation formally awarded the 67th SYLFF endowment to Jadavpur University on November 12, 2003.
The JU-SYLFF Project director at Jadavpur University initiates and expands the research network within the proposed focus of the programme. The JU-SYLFF Steering Committee under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University is responsible for the management of the programme and operations of the Fund.
An exclusive opportunity for students in Social Science and Humanities
The programme provides a unique opportunity for students who intend to pursue higher education in Social Sciences and Humanities. The objective of the JU-SYLFF Programme is to support the education of students enrolled in MA and M.Phil and Ph.D degree programmes in the Faculty of Arts at Jadavpur University with high potentials for leadership in regional, national and international affairs.
The fellowships are awarded to students whose studies focus on the broad theme: Tradition, Social Change and Sustainable Development and those, which adopt a Holistic Approach. Recipients of SYLFF fellowship become a part of the global partnership programme through SYLFF Plus programme and several follow up programmes: SYLFF Research Abroad (SRA), SYLFF Leadership Initiative (SLI) and SYLFF Prize, SYLFF Website and SYLFF Connect.
The fellows can compete for SYLFF Research Abroad (SRA) to pursue study and research abroad upto 3 months at another SYLFF institution. Fellows with outstanding leadership and commitment to society can compete for the SYLFF Prize. Under SYLFF Leadership initiatives fellows get the opportunity to contribute to society.
