As part of 'Inter-University Exchange Project' by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Gifu University and IIT Guwahati (IITG, India) jointly hosted 'Japan-NER^1 Bioeconomic Technology Cooperation Symposium 2024 (JNBTCS 2024) through Industry-Academia under JDP Platform' at IITG from Sunday, March 3 to Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Gifu University and IITG launched International Joint Degree Programs (JDP^2) in Food Science and Technology (M. Tech and Ph.D.) and that in Integrated Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.) in April 2019.

The primary objective of JNBTCS 2024 (held in-person style) is to facilitate information-sharing and foster partnerships among industry-academia stakeholders in Japan and India. Its goal is to accelerate bioeconomy-related technological cooperation in Japan and northeastern India through JDP platform—an alliance established via JDP implementation.

Prior to the symposium, President YOSHIDA Kazuhiro of Gifu University and Professor OKADA Aya, Dean of the Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, and ten GU delegates visited the Office of the President and held talks with the Officiating Director Rajeev Ahuja, as well as directors of departments and centers at IITG. In the meeting, President Yoshida and Dr. Rajeev Ahuja agreed to further reinforce the partnership between GU and IITG. The two universities are the first and sole universities in Japan and India which initiated JDP in April 2019.
Additionally, GU delegates were introduced to the activities of 'Jyoti & Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences & Technology,' and 'Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence' at IITG. Both of these schools are spearheading research in health sciences, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). During their visit, GU delegates discussed the possibilities of educational and research collaboration with the researchers in these research fields for the future.

The symposium's opening ceremony started with the speeches by Professor Vimal Katiyar from IITG and Professor KOYAMA Hiroyuki, Executive Director of Gifu University Organization for Promotion of Glocalization (GU-GLOCAL). They spoke about the aims and missions of the symposium. They were followed by the opening remarks by President Yoshida and Dr. Rajeev Ahuja, and a congratulatory message from Ms. MATSUYAMA Miina from the Embassy of Japan, India. Next, President Yoshida and Dr. Rajeev Ahuja signed three international JDP agreements for renewal. They also entered into a new 'Glocal Expert Program' agreement, allowing students to obtain 'Glocal Expert' certificates from both universities upon completing the program.

The opening ceremony for the '3rd Spring School' program, a short-term study abroad program was also held. Under this program, ten GU students participated in a study at IITG from March 3 to March 15.

Furthermore, President Yoshida was awarded the 'Honorary Professor' status by IITG in recognition of his contribution to enhancing the partnership between GU and IITG. In addition, Mr. Mohammed Rafi Uz Zama Khan was awarded his Ph.D. for his studies of JDP. He is the first student to successfully complete JDP and obtain a Ph.D. from both GU and IITG.

In the subsequent session of Indo-Japan Collaboration, and Indo-Japan Strategic Session, presentations were made by professors, government officials, and company representatives from two countries regarding the current status of Japan-India collaboration and future prospects of partnership in the fields of academia and industries. In the Plenary Talk on Indo-Japan Collaboration, Professor Okada delivered a speech on social and economic growth in the northeastern regions of India and the potential for collaboration between these regions and Japan. The audience expressed keen interest in her development model that can reflect the special features of the northeast regions in India. Ms. MARUYAMA Haruka, the first cohort of JDP graduate (master's degree), who is currently working for the Japan External Trade Organization, spoke about her analysis of contemporary Indian businesses and supporting programs for Japanese companies engaging in businesses in India.

In the Technical and Industrial Sessions on the second day of the symposium, GU participants and representatives from Indian universities and research institutes delivered presentations on their research achievements, latest technological advancements and new services. These presentations provided the audience with insights into the ongoing progress in latest technologies across various fields, including sustainability, biomass, green transformation, sustainable agriculture and food distribution, digital transformation, and natural disaster prevention and mitigation.

Technologies to utilize bamboo resources, developed by the members of the Gifu JDP Consortium^3 drew significant attention from the audience, with the hope of effectively harnessing the abundant bamboo resources in India. Including the technical and industrial sessions, active discussions continued throughout the symposium by the participants for the acceleration of robust growth of bioeconomy in northeast India.

At the symposium venue, posters were on display, which were created by 29 students including JDP students, and they discussed their research themes with the participants by explaining the contents of their posters.

Ten GU students of the 3rd Spring School program were also given the opportunity to gain insight into the latest research programs jointly implemented by IITG and GU, and they were also updated on the current business trends in Japan and India.

On the 3rd day of the symposium, people were invited to inspect the following facilities on IITG campus: the Centre of Sustainable Polymers, the School of Agro and Rural Technology, the Centre of Nanotechnology, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering. People learned about the cutting-edge research activities undertaken at each facility and interacted with scientists and scholars working for these institutions. Lastly, they visited the private firm called Green Harvest Biotech (Pvt) Limited, where researchers are developing bio-fertilizers, and its new business models and approaches being explored there greatly inspired the visitors.

JNBTCS 2024 was held as part of Gifu Joint Degree Symposium organized and hosted by Tokai National Higher Education and Research System and GU-GLOCAL, and JNBTCS 2024 marks the second time it has been held at IITG.

Joint Degree Symposium will continue to be held alternately between Gifu and IITG, with the JDP Platform serving as an intermediary. We pledge to contribute to fostering highly skilled professionals and promoting the growth of regional and international society through strong alliance between industry, government, academia and financial institutions in Gifu, its extensive Tokai region, and northeast India.

1. North Eastern Region
2. JDP students are enrolled in GU and our partner university abroad. During the standard study period (2 years for master's and 3 years for doctoral programs), they spend a certain period studying at the partner university. In this international educational environment with study abroad, students engage in coursework and research activities. Upon completing the program, students will obtain an international joint degree conferred jointly by both universities. GU established JDP with National University of Malaysia in 2019 (name of the program: International Joint Department of Materials Science and Engineering between National University of Malaysia and Gifu University, (Doctoral)), and with IITG for three programs: International Joint Department of Food Science and Technology between Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Gifu University (Master's and Doctoral), and International Joint Department of Integrated Mechanical Engineering between Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Gifu University (Doctoral). The signing ceremony for the agreement renewal with IITG took place during this symposium.
3. Industry-government-academia-banking institution partnership

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  President Yoshida and Dr. Rajeev Ahuja shaking hands

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  Group photo

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  Professor Okada giving her speech

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  Inspection of the School of Agro and Rural Technology

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