On Saturday, November 15, Professor Sumida Manabu, Special Aide to the President of Ehime University, participated in “The 4th Japan-India Universities Forum” hosted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad. This year, more than 80 universities and research institutions from both Japan and India took part, making it the largest academic exchange between the two countries to date.
The forum was organized into three parts: an opening ceremony, round-table discussions, and bilateral meetings. During the second part, the round-table discussions, Ehime University participated in a session titled “Promoting India–Japan Collaboration for Human Resource Development and Career-Path Enhancement in Partnership with Municipalities. ” Professor Sumida presented on Ehime University’s diverse centers and initiatives, its collaborations with Indian universities and companies, and its efforts in global talent development. Following this, bilateral meetings were held, where Ehime University discussed potential future agreements with IIT Mandi.
The following day, Sunday, November 16, Ehime University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Academic Exchange with IIT Hyderabad, with which the university has long been engaged in joint research and short-term student exchanges through its Faculty of Collaborative Regional Innovation. At the signing ceremony, representatives from both institutions expressed their hopes for further strengthening academic and student exchanges and shook hands firmly. Attending the ceremony from IIT Hyderabad were Director Budaraju Srinivasa Murty, Professor Chandrasekhar Murapaka of the Japan Cooperation Cell, Professor Kataoka Kotaro, and Mr. Ueda Daisuke from the IITH Japan Desk. From Ehime University, Professor Sumida, along with Professor Netra Prakash Bandary and Associate Professor Yamanaka Akira from the Faculty of Collaborative Regional Innovation, and two students, were present.
Additionally, on the same day, IIT Hyderabad hosted the Japan Study Promotion Event, “IITH Japan Academic Day 2025”. Participating Japanese universities, including Ehime University, introduced themselves to local university and high school students at individual booths. Many students expressed interest in graduate studies in science and engineering and internships, which made Ehime University’s booth extremely popular.
Through our participation in this forum and the signing of the MoU, Ehime University will continue to strengthen its collaborative ties with Indian universities, including IIT Hyderabad.
＜Institute for International Relations, Faculty of Collaborative Regional Innovation＞