Event Report

　Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Sakura Science Program Headquarters held the 3rd Japan-India University Forum on October 19, 2024 at The Grand New Delhi in Delhi, India. This forum was held with the aim of creating a foundation for exchange to further promote cooperation between Japan and India. In addition to 61 presidents of top Japanese and Indian universities (28 from Japan and 33 from India), representatives of one research institute, five related organizations and five companies attended the forum. Also present were Mr. Takashi Ariyoshi, Chargé d'Affaires of Japan in India; Mr. Hiroki Takaya, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); and Prof. Abhay Kalandikar, Director General, Department of Science and Technology (DST), India. H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, sent a video message.

　April 28, 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. This cooperative relationship is based on a special strategic and global partnership and is of great importance to both countries. India and Japan both recognize the vital importance of enhancing competitiveness in international society based on strong collaboration between the two countries in the fields of science, technology and innovation. For this reason, we have held the Japan-India Universities Forum twice in Japan since 2022, exchanging views to promote cooperation and collaboration between Indian and Japanese universities. This process of dialogue has resulted in a number of specific measures, including new university exchange programs now being developed.

　In view of the importance of this cooperative relationship, this year’s Japan-India Universities Forum was held in India for the first time. The 3rd Japan-India Universities Forum formed part of the special and official events of the Japan Months 2024, organized by the Embassy of Japan in India. Discussions focused on further developing bilateral brain circulation between Japan and India, with a particular aim of expanding collaboration between universities in the two countries so that they can play a role in the promotion of science and technology diplomacy

• ・Japan-India Universities Forum
• ・2nd Japan-India Universities Forum

　The theme of the discussions was "Promotion of Japan-India Brain Circulation and Promotion of Their Human Resources' Activities in the Region." In the second part of the forum, IIT Hyderabad and the University of Tokyo, IIT Bombay and the University of Tsukuba, and IIT Delhi and Kyoto University served as co-chairs of each group, and discussions were held on the theme of "Promoting Japan-India Brain Circulation and the Utilization of Their Human Resources." In the third part, individual meetings between Japanese and Indian universities were set up. A total of over 150 individual meetings, including MOU signing ceremonies, were held to build concrete cooperative relationships.

Participants (titles omitted)

India

<Embassy/Government office>

Embassy of India in Japan, via Online	Ambassador	(Ambassador of the Republic of India to Japan) H.E. Mr. Sibi George
Department of Science & Technology (DST)	Secretary to the Government of India	(Secretary to the Government of India) Prof. Abhay Karandikar
Department of Science & Technology (DST)	Head, WISE-KIRAN Division	(Head, WISE-KIRAN Division) Dr. Vandana Singh
Department of Science & Technology (DST)	Scientist F, INSPIRE Programme Division	(Scientist F, INSPIRE Programme Division) Dr. Umesh Kumar Sharma

<Universities>

Indian Institute of Science (IISc)	Chair	(Chair, Office of International Relations) Prof. Abhishek Singh
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras	Dean	(Dean, Global Engagement) Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi	Director	(Director) Prof. Rangan Banerjee
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay	Director	(Director) Prof. Shireesh Kedare
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur	Dean	(Dean, International Relations) Prof. Bushra Ateeq
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur	Director	(Director) Prof. Virendra Kumar Tewari
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee	Director	(Director) Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati	Director	(Director) Prof. Devendra Jalihal
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad	Director	(Director) Prof. Prof. B.S.Murty
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar	Director	(Director) Prof. Rajat Moona
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Varanasi	Director	(Director) Prof. Amit Patra
via Online	Associate Dean	Associate Dean (Research & Development) Prof. Santosh Kumar Singh
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi	Director	(Director) Prof. Laxmidhar Behera
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal	Dean	(Dean, Research and Development) Prof. Sanjit Konar
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali	Director	(Director) Prof. Anil Kumar Tripathi
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune	Director	(Director) Prof. Sunil S. Bhagwat
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram	Director	(Director) Prof. Jarugu Narasimha Moorthy
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata	Director	(Director) Prof. Sunil Kumar Khare
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Allahabad	Director	(Director) Prof. Mukul Sharad Sutaone
Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi	Director	(Director) Prof. Ranjan Bose
Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM), Jabalpur	Director	(Director) Prof. Bhartendu K. Singh
Jawaharlal Nehru University	Professor	(Professor) Prof. Srabani Roy Choudhury
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. V. S. Kanchana Bhaaskaran
Anna University	Former Vice Chancellor	(Former Vice Chancellor) Prof. R. Velraj
University of Hyderabad	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. B. J. Rao
University of Delhi	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. Yogesh Singh
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan
Panjab University	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. Renu Vig
via Online	Coordinator	(Coordinator, International Affairs) Prof. Anurag Kuhad
Amity University Noida	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. Balvinder Shukla
Nitte Mahalinga Adyanthaya Memorial (N.M.A.M.) Institute of Technology	Principal	(Principal) Prof. Niranjan N. Chiplunkar
Nitte University	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. M. S. Moodithaya
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad
Swami Rama Himalayan University	Vice Chancellor	(Vice Chancellor) Prof. Rajendra Dobhal

Japan

<Embassy/Government office>

Embassy of Japan in India	Chargés d'Affaires ad interim of Japan	ARIYOSHI Takashi
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology	Deputy Director	TAKAYA Hiroki

<Universities>

Hokkaido University	President	HOUKIN Kiyohiro
Tohoku University	Executive Vice President	UEKI Toshiya
University of Tsukuba	President	NAGATA Kyosuke
The University of Tokyo	Executive Vice President	HAYASHI Kaori
Institute of Science Tokyo	President and CEO	OHTAKE Naoto
Nagoya University	Director for International Joint Research, Global Multi-Campus	YOKOI Yukio
Kyoto University	Vice-President for International Strategy	KONO Yasuyuki
Osaka University	Senior Advisors to the President	FUJITA Kiyoshi
Kyushu University	Executive Vice President	IWATA Kenji
Chiba University	Executive Vice President for Education and International Affairs	OZAWA Hiroaki
Ochanomizu University	Trustee and Vice President	Ishii-Kuntz Masako
The University of Electro-Communications	Vice president	MASAMOTO Kazuto
Yokohama National University	Vice President (Education and Global Affairs)	TANABU Motonari
Nagaoka University of Technology	Special Presidential Aide	MIYASHITA Yukio
Kanazawa University	Vice President	OJIMA Kyoko
Gifu University	Executive Director, GU-GLOCAL	KOYAMA Hiroyuki
Shizuoka University	Trustee/Vice-President (Research, University-Industry and Community Relations, Information)	KAWATA Yoshimasa
Kobe University	Executive vice presidents	TAMAKI Hisashi
Nara Women's University	President	TAKADA Masashi
Shimane University	Vice President, Promotion of Globalization	KATAOKA Yoshimi
Okayama University	Executive Director for Promotion of Digital Transformation and Green Transformation, Senior Vice President	ABE Masanobu
Hiroshima University	Vice President (International Exchange/Japanese Language Education)	KOIKE Kazuhiko
Kumamoto University	Vice President for Global Education	KISHIDA Mitsuyo
Sophia University	Chancellor	SALI Augustine
Tokyo City University	Vice President	TAGUCHI Akira
Shibaura Institute of Technology	Vice President	NAKAMURA Hitoshi
Ritsumeikan University	Vice President	NAKATO Sachio
Indian JSPS Alumni Association / Toyo University	Chairman / Professor	D. Sakthi Kumar
National Institute for Materials Science	President	HONO Kazuhiro

<Companies>

Suzuki Motor Corporation	Councilor	SAITO Kinji
Fujitsu Limited	COO, Fujitsu Research of India Private Limited	TSURUTA Toru
Hitachi, Ltd.	Director, Research and Development, Hitachi India	Kingshuk Banerjee
JEOL Ltd.	Special Adviser For Management Strategy	WATANABE Shinichi
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.	Daikin Airconditioning India PVT.LTD. Board of Director R&D Head	NAGAMORI Akira
(Observer) SHIMADZU CORPORATION	Corporate Officer: General Manager, International Sales Department: Deputy Manager, Sales & Marketing Div.	TAJIMA Wataru

<Organizations>

NPO STS forum	Ambassador, Executive Director	TSUCHIYA Sadayuki
Japan International Cooperation Agency	Chief Representative	TAKEUCHI Takuro
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science	Director, JSPS Bangkok Office	OTANI Yoshio
Japan External Trade Organization	Chief Director General, JETRO India	SUZUKI Takashi
The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships	General Manager, New Delhi Office	TESHIMA Eiji

<JST>

Japan Science and Technology Agency	President	HASHIMOTO Kazuhito
	Director-General, Sakura Science Program Headquarters	FUJIKI Kanji
	Special Advisor to Director-General, Sakura Science Program Headquarters	MIKI Chitoshi