Chandigarh, June 30 - Taking a significant initiative towards giving a new direction to India-Japan cooperation, J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad today led a high-level delegation from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The delegation was led by Mr. Nakano Shinya, Deputy Director General, Department of Commerce and Industry, Fukuoka Prefectural Government. The delegation included Mr. Misawa Reichiro, Secretary General, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, and other senior officials.

The delegation visited the university and discussed in detail the possibilities of human resource exchange, research collaboration and institutional partnership. The visit was specifically organised to assess the potential of providing skilled human resources to Fukuoka-based industries in sectors such as automobiles, semiconductors, electronics and renewable energy. The initiative is part of the Japanese government’s broader goal of providing opportunities in Japan to 50,000 skilled Indian professionals in the next five years.

On this occasion, the university formally proposed ‘SETU’ (Strategic Exchange for Talent and University Collaboration). Under this initiative, the university envisioned itself as a hub for Japan collaboration for Haryana, through which talent development, industry collaboration, startup incubation, internships and placements and student and faculty exchange would be promoted. The university also proposed a streamlined three-tier talent development model, outlining internships in the first phase, corporate networking and recruitment in the second phase and ensuring long-term employment opportunities in the third phase. This model will also strengthen the national objective of the Government of India to connect skilled Indian talent with Japan.

At the beginning of the program, Dean (Academic Affairs) Prof. Atul Mishra welcomed the guests and gave a brief overview of the university and the program.

In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Rajiv Kumar, while mentioning the shared cultural values ??and work culture of India and Japan, said that the university, established in the year 1969 as an Indo-German joint project, has a strong identity in the field of skill development, research, innovation and startup incubation. He said that the university already has an academic agreement with Ehime University, Japan and the university is fully committed to developing a three-tier structured model to produce trained and industry-oriented human resources for Japan.

Dean Alumni Affairs Prof. Sanjeev Goyal gave a detailed presentation on the major achievements of the University and the proposed collaboration with Fukuoka Prefecture.

In his address, Mr. Nakano Shinya introduced Fukuoka Prefecture, stating that there are about 400 semiconductor-based industries operating there and that the region is one of the leading startup and industrial innovation hubs in Japan. He also mentioned the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Japan in the year 2025.

Mr. Misawa Reichiro, Secretary General of Fukuoka Institute of Technology, gave information about the academic programs and international collaboration activities of the institution. He particularly mentioned the student cultural exchange program being run under the agreement with the Delhi Board of School Education. The effective coordination of the program was done by I.J. Mr. Sanjay Panda, Managing Director, Kakehashi Services Private Limited, also provided translation support.

During the interaction session, the delegation appreciated the strategic location of the University in the industrial hub of Haryana, the extensive network of distinguished alumni associated with Japanese companies and the skill development system developed as per the needs of Japanese industries. The delegation suggested that Japanese language courses should also be started in the University to provide better opportunities to the students in Japan. They also assured that the 'Setu' proposal submitted by the University would be positively considered at the Japanese Government level and a formal response would be given soon.

At the end of the programme, Registrar Prof. Ajay Ranga, while presenting the vote of thanks, thanked the Japanese delegation and reiterated the University's commitment towards a long-term and meaningful Indo-Japan partnership.

The program concluded with a visit by the delegation to the university's Center of Excellence on Electric Vehicle Technology, the university studio, and the central research facility.