Japan International Cooperation Agency, IITH to host Japan week

HYDERABAD: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and eight Japanese organizations are supporting the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad in organizing Japan Week from September 18-24, 2023.

Japan Week features series of events that promotes education, culture, and tourism, including academic days, cultural and tourism days, career fairs, and knowledge-building exhibitions and workshops.

Based on the success of Japan Day, which continues to be held at IIT Hyderabad since 2018, Japan Week 2023 would provide students with an engaging and stimulating experience through a wide lineup of events.

Academic Day was held on September 18, featuring distinguished universities and university professors from Japan who represent their universities and research work across multiple subjects thereby fostering academic collaboration. Also, the Japanese government (MEXT) scholarship was introduced by the embassy of Japan.

On September 23, Culture and Tourism Day in Hyderabad would provide an immersive introduction to Japanese culture for all.

Visitors would have the opportunities to delve into displays presented by Na Ra Japan HUB, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Yakult, and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer(JOCV). The event would also feature performances of Aikido, Karate, and Kendo.

Attendees can also partake in a variety of other presentations and exhibitions that provide insight into Japanese culture, including demonstrations of Ikebana, Bonsai, Kumihimo, and Origami.

Japanese movies such as “Every Day a Good Day(日日是好日)” and “Dad's Lunch Box(パパのお弁当は世界一)” would be shown by Japan Foundation.

The Career Fair on September 24 would feature 20 Japanese companies, a double increase from the previous year. These organizations would deliver comprehensive presentations on recruitment opportunities spanning various fields.

From September 20-22, Japanese companies would jointly schedule workshops in scanning electron microscopy, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, and other topics to provide practical training to students.

SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative, JICA India Office said, "We are delighted to support Japan Week in Hyderabad, and we hope to introduce the people of this dynamic city to the rich tapestry of Japanese culture, cutting-edge research opportunities, and compelling economic opportunities. Japan Week 2023 is a platform that enables cultural exchange, academic growth, and professional development, exemplifying the enduring partnership between Japan and India. This event serves as a testament to the enduring partnership between the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and JICA, showcasing our deep pride in collaborating with an esteemed organization renowned for its expertise in research and education.”

JICA's cooperation with IITH was one of the most successful examples of its holistic programmatic approach. The cooperation was based on the commitment between the Prime Ministers of the two countries in 2007.

JICA, under Japan's ODA loan, provided assistance for the construction of the first academic block at IIT Hyderabad campus, actively fostering future collaboration between Japan and IIT Hyderabad.

JICA co-hosted 'Japan Day 2021' at IIT Hyderabad in 2021, attended by 13 Japanese organizations, and organized the JAPAN DAY 2022 Job Fair to encourage hiring an Indian technical workforce.

The collaboration between IIT Hyderabad and Japanese universities and organizations is unique and known as Future Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology(FRIENDSHIP).