The Nippon Foundation, through its joint Project with IMLI, known as ‘The Human Resources Development Project for the Advancement of More Effective Legal Order for the Oceans’, continues to effectively support government-nominated scholars pursuing studies in international maritime law at a post-graduate level at the Institute. Through the cooperation, which was initiated 12 years ago, the Institute has provided academic and technical expertise whilst The Nippon Foundation has generously provided financial contribution which enables 10 deserving candidates to pursue their studies in international maritime law at the Institute every year. The Institute is also proud of the trust given by the Foundation which has extended its support to the work of IMLI by establishing two teaching positions within the Institute.

For the academic year 2015-2016 the following students benefited from the scholarships under the project: Ms. Nazrin Mirzezade (Azerbaijan), Mr. Marko Bazlyankov (Bulgaria), Ms. Anene K. Wodajo (Ethiopia), Ms. Olimatou Danso (the Gambia), Mr. Herwindo Danevianta (Indonesia), Ms. Georgette Patricia Grant (Jamaica), Ms. Mialisoa Iarivola Rakouth (Madagascar), Ms. Binderiya Battulga (Mongolia), Lt. Teresa Guia Ramirez Monje (the Philippines), and Mr. Osmanberdi Garajayev (Turkmenistan). Mr. Masamichi Hasebe (Senior Legal Counsel, The Japan Association of Maritime Safety and IMLI Governor) with the Nippon Foundation Scholars for the academic year of 2015- 2016 At the end of every academic year, the Sasakawa Prize for the Best Performing Nippon Foundation Scholar is awarded to the Nippon Scholar who has the best overall performance in the LL.M. programme.

For the recently concluded academic year, the Sasakawa Prize was awarded to Ms. Mialisoa Iarivola Rakouth (Madagascar). The prize was presented by Mr. Masamichi Hasebe (Senior Legal Counsel, The Japan Association of Maritime Safety and IMLI Governor), during the Institute’s 27th graduation ceremony. Mr. Masamichi Hasebe (Senior Legal Counsel, The Japan Association of Maritime Safety and IMLI Governor) and Ms. Mialisoa Iarivola Rakouth (Madagascar) To date, the fruitful cooperation between IMLI and The Nippon Foundation has created a formidable cluster of 126 international maritime lawyers from 58 countries all over the world.

These lawyers have now returned to their respective countries where they are involved in the development of the maritime sectors in those countries. For the new academic year of 2016-2017, the Institute is pleased to inform all our esteem readers that The Nippon Foundation has increased the annual number of scholarships from 10 to 12 and the number of teaching positions from two to three. IMLI notes with pride that the training at the Institute has achieved the desired objectives of the Project as envisaged by both IMLI and The Nippon Foundation.