The Japan–India Global Education and Research Center (JIGER) was formally launched at Shimane University during a three-day programme held from 26 to 28 February 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening academic and research collaboration between Japan and India. Established with the support of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under the Inter-University Exchange Project, JIGER will serve as a dedicated platform for advancing joint research, academic mobility, innovation partnerships, and industry–academia linkages between institutions in the two countries. The Centre aims to develop a “Shimane Model” for nurturing globally competent human resources while contributing to regional revitalization.

Unveiling Ceremony
From left: Prof. Kataoka, Consul-General Appar, Prof. Murty, Prof. Otani, and Consular Panwar

　The programme commenced on 26 February with the formal opening of the Joint Centre of Excellence (COE) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) at Shimane University. Consul General of India in Osaka-Kobe Mr. Chandru Appar, Consular (Science & Technology) from the Embassy of India in Japan Dr. Yashwant Dev Panwar, senior officials from Shimane University, the Director of IITH, and other representatives from India participated in the unveiling ceremony.

　A reception held on the evening of 26 February facilitated exchanges among academic leaders, researchers and stakeholders from India and Japan, including representatives from MEXT, JSPS, JST, and JICA.The JIGER Kick-off Symposium was officially inaugurated on 27 February at Kunibiki Messe, Matsue. The opening ceremony featured a traditional lamp-lighting ritual symbolising knowledge and collaboration, followed by addresses from the President of Shimane University Hiroki Otani, Deputy Director-General, MEXT, Mr. Shigekazu Matsuura, Mayor of Matsue City Mr. Akihito Uesada, the Consul General of India in Osaka–Kobe Mr. Chandru Appar, the Director of IIT Hyderabad Prof. B.S. Murty, Executive Advisor at JSPS, Mr. Tetsuya Mizumoto, Director-General, Sakura Science Program, JST, Mr. Kanji Fujiki, Senior Vice-President, JICA, Mr. Shohei Hara. The inaugural session also included a detailed presentation by the Vice-President for the Promotion of Globalization at Shimane University Prof. Yoshimi Kataoka outlining the JIGER project plan and future roadmap. 

Opening address by Prof. Hiroki Otani, President of Shimane University

Address by Prof. B. S. Murty, Director of IITH

Address by Mr. Shigekazu Matsuura, Deputy Director-General, MEXT

Project Overview by Prof. Yoshimi Kataoka, Vice President of Shimane University

　The ceremony concluded with a panel discussion on the theme “Building Global Talent through Japan–India Higher Education for Regional Revitalization,” where five distinguished panellists exchanged views on strengthening academic partnerships and developing globally competent human resources. Director of JIGER, Dr. Hemanth Noothalapati served as the moderator for the panel discussion while the panellists were President of Shimane University, Director of IIT Hyderabad, Director of IIT Jammu Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Vice Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Prof. V. S. Kanchana Bhasskaran, Vice-chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Prof. Junaid Bushiri.

　The two-day symposium brought together a large and diverse gathering of faculty members, researchers, students, administrators and industry representatives from both countries. Distinguished Indian participants also included the professors from IIT Gandhinagar, Banaras Hindu University and Sastra University, among other premier institutions. The scientific programme featured keynote lectures, invited talks and poster presentations across disciplines including materials science, biomedical research, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, data science and engineering. Discussions emphasised interdisciplinary collaboration, institutional capacity building, and the development of globally competent human resources.

Prof. Noothalapati, Director of JIGER, serving as moderator of the panel discussion

Presidents of the five universities speaking during the panel discussion

Group photo of participants at the symposium (Day 1)

President Otani and the President of IIT Jammu listening to a poster presentation by a student

Group photo in front of the bust of Sir C. V. Raman on campus

　Significantly, the event coincided with India’s National Science Day on 28 February, commemorating the discovery of the Raman Effect by Nobel Laureate Sir C.V. Raman. The programme was held in the context of the 40th anniversary of Japan–India Science and Technology cooperation and the Japan–India Year of Science, Technology and Innovation Exchange, underscoring its broader strategic importance. On 2 March, a university facility tour was arranged for the visiting delegates, enabling them to closely observe Shimane University’s research infrastructure and engage in detailed discussions on future collaboration. The interactions facilitated deeper exchanges on joint research, student mobility and industry partnerships.

　Overall, the programme was highly successful and marked an important step toward institutionalising long-term academic and research partnerships between Japan and India.

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CONTACT:
Japan-India Global Education and Research Center (JIGER)
Email: jiger[a]office.shimane-u.ac.jp
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