SHILLONG: Sixteen students from the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) left for Japan on Friday as part of the student Exchange programme.
Japan has launched the IRIS programme to invite promising youth from the North East of India.
Two students have been selected from each of the eight northeastern states. However, a student from Garo Hills region of Meghalaya unfortunately would not be able to make it to Japan.
The selected students are toppers in their respective subjects.
NEHU registrar JN Naik told The Shillong Times on Thursday it is for the first time that the university will send out students as part of an educational tour and exchange programme.
The exchange programme will also boost the Act East Policy, crucial to cement the India-Japan ties in the future.
Economics professor B Panda said the tour will give students the exposure to Japanese history and also become partners in cementing India and Japan relationship.
“Japan is looking towards India as a potential investment since India has a huge population and a huge market,” Naik said.
The students will be in Japan for eight days.