From Monday, March 3 to Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Gifu University and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG, India) co-hosted the "Japan-NER Sustainable Technologies Cooperation Symposium 2025" at IITG. This symposium was conducted as part of the activities of the "Inter-University Exchange Project Gifu University: Support for Creation of Inter-University Exchanges in the Indo-Pacific Region" approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. The project is currently promoted by Gifu University and IITG (one of Gifu University's Joint Degree Program (JDP) partner universities overseas).
The symposium aimed to discuss international collaborative education represented by JDP, as well as research development necessary for social transformation, including acceleration of regional development in India and development in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India through Japan-India collaboration. The symposium was held in a hybrid format on the IITG campus. Over two days, the symposium was attended by a total of 176 participants, including online attendees.
At the opening ceremony on the first day of the symposium, after a welcome address by Professor Rohit Sinha of IITG, Professor Sumana Dutta of IITG and Professor KOYAMA Hiroyuki, Executive Director from GU-GLOCAL explained the purposes of the symposium. This was followed by opening remarks from YOSHIDA Kazuhiro, President of Gifu University (via video message), Dr. K. V. Krishna, Acting Director of IITG, along with congratulatory message from His Excellency Sibi George, Indian Ambassador to Japan (via video message).
Two invited guest speakers, Mr. WATANABE Makoto, First Secretary of the Embassy of India in Japan and Professor Gautam Barua of IITG delivered keynote speeches for the symposium.
The opening ceremony included the opening of the Spring School (short-term study abroad program) which was held concurrently, with an introduction of the school program by a program coordinator, Professor Chandan Das of IITG, followed by the introduction of 10 Gifu University students participating in the program.
In the subsequent academia collaboration session, institutions from the NER were introduced, and activities were presented by representatives from Japanese universities (the University of Tokyo and the University of Tsukuba), and Japanese government agencies (Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)).
In the afternoon session, activities were introduced by Japanese and Indian university faculty, Japanese government agencies (Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)), and symposium-participating companies. Furthermore, a roundtable discussion was held between representatives of Japanese and Indian universities, research institutions, and companies, where they actively exchanged opinions on future collaborations between Japan and India, including establishment of "North Eastern India University Consortium (tentative name)" at IITG. It will involve IITG and six universities in India. Following this, a poster session was held with 33 students and researchers from seven universities and institutions in India, with Gifu University faculty participating as judges.
On the second day of the symposium, two sessions were held: the "Bio/Life Sciences" session and the "Smart/Intelligent" session. In the "Bio/Life Sciences" session, chaired by faculty from both Japanese and Indian universities, keynote and general lectures were delivered by 10 speakers. Of them, Professor FUJITA Morihisa of Gifu University gave a keynote lecture on "Decoding the 'Life of Glycans' with genetic and glycomaple strategies."
In the "Smart/Intelligent" session, also chaired by faculty from both Japanese and Indian universities, keynote and general lectures were delivered by nine speakers from Japanese and Indian universities. Of them, Dr. MOGI Kenichiro, Visiting Professor at Gifu University, gave a keynote lecture on "AI Alignment and Human Brain."
Furthermore, under the auspices of the IITG Centre for Career Development (CCD), presentations by Japanese companies aimed at recruiting Indian students were held, along with introductions to Gifu University's research institutes and centers that can accomodate international students. Information regarding employment with Japanese companies and studying in Japan was also provided.
On the third day of the symposium, visits to research facilities and companies were conducted. They were courtesy visits to Guwahati University near IITG, tours of research facilities, visits to bio companies, and inspections of the Center of Excellence (COE) for digital design and 3D printers. These visits helped participants develop their understanding of university collaboration with NER and the region’s rich biological resources, as well as research technology development promoted in NER.
Group photo of the symposium participants
Dr. Mogi giving a lecture
Students and company interactions, including Gifu Univ. research institutes and centers
Scene from the poster session
