Seventh ISSCA Event Truly Ignited Mind-sparks
Coordinators Brought About a Very Lively Gathering

On Sunday, October 12, 2025 more than 70 alumni members and guests gathered at the Lecture Hall LHC 310 of IIT Delhi to take part in the seventh India Sakura Science Alumni Association (ISSCA) Meet. This year, 2025, marks the 40th anniversary of the India-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation. India JSPS Alumni Association (IJAA) and IIT Delhi co-hosted the commemorative event ICFAST at IIT Delhi on the same day. Ms. Disha Malik moderated the ISSCA event as the master of ceremony.

The event thoroughly demonstrated that the India-Japan collaborative exchange is being elevated to another level. Ms. Antara Puranik, President of ISSCA since 2022, looked back on all the successful events from the past and called out to the alumni to stay connected through ISSCA’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp group to let everyone know about their pursuits and whereabouts.

Guest of honor, Mr. YAMAZAKI Fumio, Minister for Economic and Development, Embassy of Japan in India spoke about how the Action Plan for Japan-India Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation will further enhance the mobility of people between the two countries. Along with the Sakura Science Program (SSP) and the LOTUS Program offered by JST, he mentioned the new exchange framework MIRAI-Setu by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will invite India university students to Japan for a one-month internship at Japanese companies.

As the chairman of the Japan-India Parliamentary Friendship League, Mr. NISHIMURA Yasutoshi voiced through his video message on how the Sakura Science Program can cultivate mutual understanding and good-will between the people of our two countries. He hoped for the alumni association to serve as a bridge between Japan and India to promote further exchange.

After the group photo session, the alumni coordinators conducted the Handshake Hunt, a game in which participants were given a list of statements/conditions (e.g. has published a research paper, love tea ceremony or Indian chai, and so forth) and tried to find matching alumni in the room who could fulfill them. The two matched people would shake hands. The player with the highest number of handshakes became the winner. The whole venue was filled with busy but heartfelt handshakes!

After the game winners were announced, Ms. Nandini Bagga, a coordinator currently working in Japan as a software engineer stressed how the Sakura Science network can help pave way towards Japan─be it for study, research, or for work─and that ISSCA members should cherish and make the best out of these precious ties. She also noted that some of the brightest minds belong to the Sakura Science community and collaborations with such alumni are featured on ISSCA’s YouTube Channel. She also encouraged members to share personal stories on how one got in touch with a Japanese professor, because it is not everyday that such opportunities come by.

Next, Mr. TAKAHASHI Naohiro, Deputy Manager of JST touched upon the possibility of a new scholarship for Sakura Science members.

On behalf of JST, Mr. ITO Sotaro, Deputy Director-General of Sakura Science Program Headquarters thanked all the coordinators for a very lively event. “JST wishes to continue supporting SSC activities that maintain the network among members,” he concluded.

Finally, Ms. Hindavi Todkar thanked all those who were involved in the event. “It’s your curiosity and collaboration that keep the Sakura Science spirit alive,” she reminded everyone and closed the event.