Guwahati: The Indo-Japan Educational Conclave was organised at Cotton University today, with the aim of deepening educational exchanges and partnerships between India and Japan. The event, part of the highly anticipated Japan Month in September and October 2024, spotlighted students from India's North East region.
The conference is expected to be a key driver of educational, cultural, and technological collaborations between the two nations, underpinned by their shared values of innovation, mutual respect, and growth. Many dignitaries were present at the conclave like Embassy of Japan in India, Mr Jiro Kodera, Minister of Education, Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, President of Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC), Mr Siddharth Deshmukh, Vice Chancellor of Cotton University,Dr Sangeeta Barthakura etc.
The North East States of India—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura—are known for their breathtaking natural landscapes, rich cultural diversity, and a variety of linguistic communities. Despite these strengths, the region has often been overlooked in national discussions on education and development. The India-Japan Education Conference aims to change this by highlighting the untapped potential of the North East and fostering meaningful Indo-Japan collaborations in the area.
The event focused on several critical objectives, such as:
Promoting Educational Exchange: Facilitating student exchanges, scholarship opportunities, and joint research projects between Japanese institutions and universities in the North East.
Cultural Integration: Enhancing cultural ties through workshops, language-learning initiatives, and events that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of both Japan and the North East.
Innovation and Technology Transfer: Encouraging the exchange of technology and innovative practices, particularly in fields such as sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, IT, and renewable energy, which align with the development goals of the North East.
Networking and Career Opportunities: Creating a platform for students to connect with academicians, industry leaders, and policymakers, paving the way for new career paths and research collaborations.
The India-Japan Education Conference is poised to be a landmark event, not only bridging the educational aspirations of the two nations but also solidifying cultural and economic ties. With its special focus on the North East of India, the conference is expected to pave the way for a new era of cooperation and shared prosperity. It aims to inspire a new generation of students to become ambassadors of the strong and enduring relationship between India and Japan.