Japanese Parliamentary Delegation Visits IIT Guwahati To Strengthen Indo-Japan Collaborations In Research and Innovation

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati hosted the Japanese delegation led by the Hon’ble Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan, His Excellency Fukushiro Nukaga. The delegation included four Members of Parliament, the former Japanese Ambassador to India, senior officials from the Government of Japan, and representatives from the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi. In addition, 22 delegates representing various Japanese industries also participated in the visit.

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati welcomed the delegation and presented an overview of the institute’s vision, global collaborations, achievements, and its commitment to advancing scientific and technological research.

Speaking during his address Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “We deeply value Japan’s longstanding friendship and its forward-looking approach to collaboration. IIT Guwahati is committed to working closely with our Japanese counterparts to tackle global challenges through shared knowledge, innovation, and mutual respect.”

In his address to the gathering, His Excellency Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga emphasised the strong democratic foundations and shared developmental goals of India and Japan.He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in emerging technologies, human resource development, and the pursuit of sustainable development. Mr. Nukaga also noted the vital role both nations play as leaders in innovation and democracy in the Eastern hemisphere. He called for deeper cooperation through research, education, cultural exchange, and innovation-driven partnerships.

Following the interaction, the delegation visited key research facilities at IIT Guwahati. At the Centre for Nanotechnology, delegates toured the state-of-the-art cleanroom facility, such as the one being developed at the upcoming Tata Semiconductor plant in Assam, a project that IIT Guwahati is actively supporting. They also reviewed several indigenous research innovations and ongoing projects in nanotechnology.

The delegation later visited the Technology Incubation Centre and Research Park, where they were introduced to pioneering work in Artificial Intelligence and healthcare technologies. Start-ups incubated at the institute showcased a wide range of medical and sustainable devices, some of which were presented as mementos to the Hon’ble Speaker.

The event also featured one-on-one discussions between the Japanese delegates, IIT Guwahati officials, and representatives from the Government of Assam. These conversations focused on strengthening current collaborations and aligning future efforts with the vision of increasing Indo-Japan student and research exchanges to 50,000, as envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Shigeru Ishiba.