The 3rd Japan-India Universities Forum
—Promotion of Japan-India brain circulation and utilization of its human resources—

Event Report

Date & Time October 19, 2024 (Saturday) 10 : 30–18 : 30 (India Standard Time)
Venue The Grand New Delhi
Organizer Japan Science and Technology Agency Sakura Science Program Headquarters

 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.

Mr. Takashi Ariyoshi, Chargé d'Affaires of Japan in India
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)
Mr. Hiroki Takaya, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
Prof. Abhay Kalandikar, Director General, Department of Science and Technology (DST), India
Prof. Abhay Kalandikar, Director General, Department of Science and Technology (DST), India
H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan(Video)
H.E. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan(Video)

 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

First session
First session

 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.

Second session: Roundtable meetings
Second session: Roundtable meetings
Second session: Roundtable meetings
 

Program

First session: 10:30 - 11:30
  • Opening remarks Dr. HASHIMOTO Kazuhito, President of JST
  • Guest speeches:
    • H.E. Mr. Sibi George, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Japan (online or video message)
    • Mr. ARIYOSHI Takashi, The Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to India
    • Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science & Technology (DST)
    • Mr. TAKAYA Hiroki, Deputy Director-General, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
    • Prof. B.S. Murty, Director of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad
    • Dr. HOUKIN Kiyohiro, President of Hokkaido University
  • Photo session
*** Networking 11:30 - 13:00 ***
Second session:  13:00 - 15:00
Roundtable meetings – Three(3) roundtables held simultaneously
Theme:Promote Japan-India brain circulation and encourage their human resources to play an active role in the region
  • Round Table Group 1: (Co-Chairpersons: IIT Hyderabad and The Univ. of Tokyo)
  • Round Table Group 2: (Co-Chairpersons: IIT Bombay and Univ. of Tsukuba)
  • Round Table Group 3: (Co-Chairpersons: IIT Delhi and Kyoto Univ.)
*** Short break 15:00 - 15:15 ***(venue: 1st floor – Foyer)
Third session: 15:15 - 18:30

Bilateral "one-on-one discussion" university, research institute meetings Universities and research institutions meet individually to develop specific cooperative relationships.

Dinner reception: 18:30 - 20:30

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