National Institute of Technology

Oct 21, 2023

NITC to collaborate with Universities and Industries in Japan

Inks MoUs and begins partnership for research, skill enhancement and academic growth

The National Institute of Technology Calicut is gearing up to enhance industry relations, research and skill development by collaborating with Japanese industries and universities. The Institute has inked two Memorandums of Understanding with industries and academia in Japan to ensure advancement in technology and research sectors.

The Collaboration with Japanese academia and industry will develop skill development and employability through enhancement programmes, said Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut, who is currently leading a delegation to Japan from NITC. He emphasised that the MoUs will facilitate and accelerate joint research, education, field studies and consultancy projects within India, Japan and other countries.

The deliberations between NITC and the Japanese counterpart have paved the way to MoUs under the Indo-Japan Collaboration to promote skill connect and human resource exchange programmes. NITC has signed MoUs with India Japan Laboratory, Keio University and also with NehaN Technologies K.K, Japan.

“The NITC student community can reap the benefits of the collaboration as they will get the opportunity to engage in research and project works in Japan,” said Prof. Prasad Krishna. Besides this, joint initiatives with Japanese industries and academia will help them make use of the advanced technologies and prepare for the industry, he added.

The MoU with India Japan Laboratory, Keio University will focus on undertaking the development of case studies and foster joint publications, research papers and reports. The partners envision to organise real-time and virtual webinars, seminars, workshops and conferences on emerging technologies and exchange training resources.

This will not only foster R&D collaborations and faculty exchanges but also the exchange of students for skill development, and exchange of start-ups incubated in NITC for immersion and interactions with the industry in Japan.

The MoU between NITC and NehaN Technologies K.K, Japan focuses on campus support and industrial training for NITC students in Japan. The collaboration will also foster infrastructure facilities like incubation centres for NITC and ensure regular joint projects, awareness programs, exhibitions, and other relevant. Discussions are in progress to jointly develop an offshore NITC-Japan Skill Centre that will liaise with Japanese academia and industries for developing opportunities for the students of NITC for internships and career development under the purview of the MoU.

A seminar titled “Indo-Japan Skill Connect: The Role of Mechatronics & Automation” organised jointly by the NIT Calicut and Nehan Technology KK at the Embassy of India in Tokyo was also a significant event of this visit which was initiated by NITC’s Centre for International Relations. The seminar was attended by representatives from many leading industries and academia from Japan, and members of NITC Alumni – Japan in addition to the officials at the Embassy, delegates and the organisers.

Representatives of the Indian Embassy, delegates from NIT Calicut, NITCAA (NIT Calicut Alumni Association), and Nehan Technology KK deliberated on the initiatives by NITC to forge collaborations with academia and industry in Japan to the benefit of NITC fraternity. These are significant to the bilateral cooperation aligning with the policies of jointly conducting R&D, skill development and innovations for improved employability and competitiveness for the stakeholders.

Shri. Sibi George, Honourable Ambassador of India to Japan; Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut; Mr. Kazuya Nakajo, Executive Vice President of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization); Mr. Miwa Tachiyama, Director of Ebara Corporation, Japan; Dr. T.P. Sethumadhavan, Professor at the Transdisciplinary University of Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru; Shri. Shilan Sagunan, Chairperson, Mizone and Malabar Angel Network and also representative of the Kerala StartUp Mission (KSUM), and also a notable alumnus of NIT Calicut; and Dr. Baiju G Nair, Vice-chairperson of Centre for International Relations spoke at the occasion.

Dr. M K Ravi Varma, Chairperson of the Centre for International Relations; Dr. Nikhil and Dr. Amith Singh (faculty members representing CoE in Electrical Vehicle Engineering and Centre for Continuing Education & Skill Development respectively); Mr. Prakash Shetty from RS Group, New Delhi and Mr. Jijo John, Calpine, USA (alumnus of NIT Calicut); Mr. Arun K J from Vaisesika Consulting Private Ltd.; Mr. Jishnu Madhavan and Mr. Anil Raj, who has recently been appointed by NSDC International as Advisor for Japan for promoting skilling projects and planning strategy for skilling were also present during the seminar representing Nehan Technology K.K..

Further discussions on research collaborations, and student exchanges for internships and skill development were held with Suzuki Motor Corporation at their HQ in Hamamatsu; Rakuten Group Inc., Tokyo, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Tokyo.

Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut with Mr. Sibi George, Indian Ambassador to Japan at the Embassy of India in Japan.

Delegates from NIT Calicut, led by Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut with Mr. Sibi George, Indian Ambassador to Japan and industry and education experts from Japan.

Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut, speaking at a seminar at the Embassy of India in Japan.

Media Reports