News and Topics

2024.09.17

On September 13, 2024, a special KGU-India forum, “The Future of Japan and India through Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration in Kansai,” was held at the Kwansei Gakuin Hall. After KGU President Yasutoshi Mori gave the opening remarks, the special guest, His Excellency Mr. Sibi George, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Japan, gave a speech entitled “Indo-Pacific: Confluence of the Two Seas.” In his talk, he emphasized the importance of the maritime relationship between Japan and India, particularly how they should work together to protect regional sea lanes. He discussed the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan, encouraged more Japanese people to come and visit India, and spoke about the need to enhance the links between educational institutions in both countries so that there are more opportunities for Indian students to study in Japan and vice-versa. After Mr. George’s speech, Professor Sakthi Kumar (President of the India Japan Society for Science, Technology and Education, or IJSSTE) gave an overview of the history of IJSSTE’s activities and introduced the members of its new chapter in the Kansai region. 

The ensuing panel discussion, moderated by Professor Manish Biyani, Graduate School of Science & Technology, KGU, was entitled “The Future of Japan and India through Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration in Kansai,” and featured representatives from all three sectors. Notably, Dr. Yashawant Dev Panwar (Counsellor ST, Embassy of India) and Mr. T Muthuvelan (Joint Secretary, Indian Chamber of Commerce-Japan) had a productive exchange with Mr. Yuji Nishikawa (Sakura Science advisor at the Japan Science and Technology Agency) about how to collaborate in the Kansai region in particular. Professor Shinsuke Fujiwara (Dean of the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, KGU) and Professor Koji Kojima (Assistant Executive Dean of the Organization for Academic Affairs/Professor, School of International Studies, KGU) spoke about the need to offer better language education while international students are enrolled at universities in Japan, so that they are better able to integrate into Japanese society and be better equipped for the job search after graduation. Mr. Katsuya Tobinaga (President, Toho International Inc.) and  Mr. Abhinav Wadhwa (Business Manager, Overseas Business Department, Kameda Seika Co., Ltd.; graduate of the KGU Institute of Business and Accounting) also provided their perspectives as members of companies seeking to make better use of international human resources.

After the panel discussion, a networking event with refreshments was held, before Professor Akihiko Fujiwara (School of Engineering) brought the forum to a close. The event served as a moment for attendees to reflect on the significance of the forum, and the future development of exchanges between Indian institutions and KGU.
 

Panel Discussion:
“The Future of Japan and India through Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration in Kansai”

Moderator: 
Professor Manish Biyani, Graduate School of Science & Technology, KGU

1. Participants:
   1. Mr Katsuya Tobinaga, President, Toho International Inc.
   2. Mr Abhinav Wadhwa, Business Manager, Overseas Business Department, Kameda Seika Co., Ltd. (KGU alumni)
   3. Mr T Muthuvelan, Joint Secretary, Indian Chamber of Commerce-Japan
   4. Dr Yashawant Dev Panwar, Counsellor ST, Embassy of India
   5. Mr Yuji Nishikawa, Sakura Science advisor, Japan Science and Technology Agency
   6. Professor Shinsuke Fujiwara, Dean, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, KGU
   7. Professor Koji Kojima, Assistant Executive Dean, Organization for Academic Affairs/Professor, School of International Studies, KGU