2024 Activity Report Closing Ceremony

SAKURA SCIENCE University Program

Closing Ceremony

 On Saturday, September 13, 55 outstanding students selected from Indian top universities (University of Anna, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi) attended the closing ceremony at the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters.

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Morimoto Shigeo, JST Director; Giving the Organizer Greeting
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 At the completion ceremony, university students from University of Anna and IIT Bombay gave speeches on behalf of the others.
Some will be introduced.

■ Speech by Harsh Chordia; University of Anna

 Sir Isaac Newton once said, "What we know is only a drop. What we don't know is the entire ocean". So very true. We were also moved by the hospitality and the humility that Japanese people have. This 5-day cross cultural exchange program has given us the impetus and the drive to pursue research in Japan.

 I'm a super strong believer in the ability of cross disciplinary approach in tackling pressing issues - be it architecture or power systems - we've witnessed carbon neutrality being approached through all of their efforts.

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Harsh Chordia; University of Anna

■ Speech by Anmol Jain; Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

 Our experience in this beautiful country has been nothing short of amazing. The people of Japan have left a deep impression on us with their diligence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to their work.

 We got the chance to enrich our networks, obviously with Japanese people here as well as meeting different institutions students from across India. After numerous insightful discussions, I strongly believe that many of us, and hopefully many more, will return to Japan to continue our growth, supported by its universities and world-class companies.

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Anmol Jain; Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
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ITO Sotaro, Deputy Director of the JST Sakura Science Program Headquarters (6th from the left), and the representative of each Indian university smiling certificates of completion in hand.

 We also received congratulations from HATTA Tomomi, Osaka Liaison Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and HINO Hiroe, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

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HATTA Tomomi, Osaka Branch, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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HINO Hiroe, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, MEXT
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Lastly, a group commemorative photograph

 Throughout the ceremony, the atmosphere was very peaceful and calm. The Indian university students returned home safely on Saturday, September 14.
We look forward to seeing all of these fine young people again in Japan in the near future!