As over 400 group training courses are organized by JICA annually for overseas participants from developing countries, a procedure is needed to select countries which can nominate applicants for their desired courses. In the case of the present course, thirteen countries are selected. They are China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Nicaragua, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
General information on the course (GI) and an application form are sent to the JICA office or the Embassy of Japan in these countries by the end of March (website: http://www.jica.go.jp/english/contact/overseas.html). Then, these papers are forwarded to a government agency of the respective countries.
Each applicant nominated by her/his government had to fill in and return the application form with a report on the present status on geothermal development in her/his country, to the JICA office or the Embassy of Japan by the beginning of May. Upon reception of application forms from selected countries, a committee consisted of JICA staff and the course leader selects ten participants for the course. Basic rule is one participant from one country.
Applicants must have a university degree or the equivalence, be engaged in geothermal work for at least three years, be fluent in English, and be in good health. The applicants are informed of acceptance or rejection to the course by JICA office through her/his government agency in early July. Expenses such as international travel, study tour, perdiem and accommodation are covered by JICA.