During a historic visit, JGU signs Memoranda of Understanding with Seven Top Japanese Universities

A senior delegation from India, headed by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, the founding vice chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), wrapped off a fruitful trip to Japan with the goal of advancing and strengthening higher education exchanges between the two nations.

The goal of the mission, which included senior faculty members and deans from JGU, was to improve intellectual engagement, academic cooperation, and cross-cultural interactions between Japanese and Indian institutions. They traveled to five cities in Japan: Tokyo, Yamanashi, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. While there, they interacted with representatives from fourteen Japanese universities, including the University of Tokyo, Temple University Japan, United Nations University, International Christian University, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Doshisha University, and Osaka Gakuin University, as well as top academics and leadership teams.
The historic visit resulted in the following seven top Japanese institutions establishing Student Mobility Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs):
Erste Universität Yamanashi

2. Gakuin University of Yamanashi
3. University of Hiroshima
Ritsumeikan University, fourth
5. University of Ryukoku
6. Gakuin University of Kwansei

7. Gaidai University of Kansai
On the success of the visit to Japan, Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU observed, “Our visit to Japan had five major objectives: first, to introduce the Indian higher education system and universities to the key leaders of Japanese universities and policymakers of Japan; second, to create substantive opportunities for the students and faculty of JGU to collaborate with the leading Japanese universities; third, to build international partnerships with Japanese universities that will promote exchange programmes, joint, dual and pathways degree programmes and short-term study abroad programmes;

fourth, to collaborate with Japanese universities to promote research and scholarship through the advancement of faculty engagement by organising joint conferences and joint lectures leading to joint research projects and publications; and fifth, to promote collaborations among all stakeholders within Japan that includes government agencies, public institutions, private corporations, think tanks and research institutions with a view to establishing a strong intellectual presence and institutional imagination of India in Japan and for Japan in India.”

“I had the incredible opportunity to address the Members of Parliament at the Japanese National Parliament, Diet on issues relating to higher education partnerships and the overall trajectory of the strategic relationship between India and Japan,” said Professor Kumar, vice chancellor of JGU. During our historic visit to Japan, we have confirmed the immense importance of the India-Japan relationship in ensuring meaningful collaboration between JGU and the top Japanese universities to make a significant contribution to global academia, as well as in shaping the continuation of historical bilateral ties between the two nations. Our partnerships with prestigious Japanese institutions promote faculty-level interactions as well as student mobility, enhancing the academic environments of both countries and moving us closer to a globalized society.”

This visit demonstrates how Japan’s strategic significance to India in the field of higher education is expanding. Japan, which is well-known for its superiority in innovation and research, is home to top-notch institutions with outstanding academic offerings. Because of this, Japan is a very desirable location for Indian students looking to pursue higher education abroad and be exposed to cutting-edge developments in a variety of academic fields.

The Memoranda of Understandings and Agreements include student mobility programs such as semester exchange programs, short-term study abroad programs, immersion programs in India for Japanese students attending JGU, and dual degree programs; faculty level engagements such as collaborative teaching initiatives, joint research projects, collaborative publications, collaborative conferences, and seminars, to name a few.

The strategic alliance between Japan and India in the field of higher education would be further strengthened and solidified by these activities.
“We continue to expand JGU’s rich tapestry of global institutional collaborations as we forge numerous meaningful partnerships with leading Japanese universities,” said Professor (Dr.) Akhil Bhardwaj, Associate Dean and Director, Office of International Affairs & Global Initiatives at JGU.

These partnerships enhance JGU’s academic environment while also giving our students priceless chances to take part in life-changing study abroad programs in Japan, developing their skill sets and advancing their professional goals. We will never waver in our dedication to establishing global ties and giving every JGU student the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.”

In addition, Professor Kumar gave a historic speech to a caucus of more than twenty distinguished members of the Japanese Parliament (National Diet). One of the attendees of this historic speech was Mr. Masahito Moriyama, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology of the Government of Japan. The topic of discussion was important global issues such as the SDGs, global governance, India’s national education policy, and more generally, bolstering bilateral relations between the two countries.

Professor Kumar and the JGU delegation also held productive talks with Mr. Nikhilesh Giri, the Indian consul general in Osaka, and H.E. Mr. Sibi George, the Indian ambassador to Japan, on strengthening India-Japan relations in the areas of higher education and research.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor; Professor (Dr.) Mohan Kumar, Dean, Strategic and International Initiatives, Professor of Diplomatic Practice & Director, Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies; Professor Kathleen A. Modrowski, Dean, Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities; Professor Padmanabha Ramanujam, Professor of Law & Dean of Academic Governance and Student Life; Professor (Dr.) Upasana Mahanta, Professor of Political Science & Dean, Office of Admissions and Outreach; Professor (Dr.) Vesselin Popovski, Professor of Law & Vice Dean, Jindal Global Law School and Executive Director, Centre for the Study of United Nations, JGU; and Professor (Dr.) Akhil Bhardwaj, Asst.