22 varsity students to visit Japan
SHILLONG: North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) Vice Chancellor SK Srivastava said the university will soon start Japanese language course, which will benefit the people, in view of the bond shared by India and Japan which will also cement ties of the two countries.
He was speaking at the formal send off function of 22 students to Japan, which was held on Monday, in the VC’s conference, administrative building.
Similarly, Dean of School of Economics, Management, B Panda said that in course of time, the university will upgrade the certificate course to diploma course. He informed that the faculty members will be funded by JICA, a Japanese-based company, while NEHU will provide accommodation to the teachers.
A total of 22 students of NEHU have been selected for a visit to Japan under the IRIS programme.
IRIS is a programme initiated by the Japan government to invite talented young people from the Northeastern part of India. During their tour of Japan, the students will get to understand Japanese culture, science and technology of Japan in the fields of environment and disaster prevention.
Srivastava said the programme marks the coming together of two great nations as there is good chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
Expressing gratitude to Japan for the IRIS programme, he said, “Japan looks at North East in a big way, be it in terms of investment or other engagement. Academically, there is a focus on youth and higher education, which is a great boon to the students”.
Stating that the NEHU students are cultural ambassadors of the country to Japan and also showcase NEHU brand, Srivastava said, “If it is possible, why not invite students from Japan? It will strengthen international cooperation”.
The group of 22 students constitutes the university’s second batch as 16 students have already visited Japan last year. Panda said that the students will be leaving for Japan on January 31 and will depart for India on February 8.
He said that in light of the Act East Policy, the tour is crucial to strengthen the brotherhood between Japan and India. He added that the tour will give the students a different exposure in the days to come when the Act East Policy takes shape.
He also informed that the students have also formed an IRIS club where they undertake developmental activities.
Panda informed that so far there were 250 applicants and finally the NEHU authorities zeroed in on 22 students after going through the mandatory process of screening and interviewing the students.
He informed that three students were selected from each of the seven of the Northeastern states, while only one student is selected from Sikkim.
NEHU student from Manipur, Philayo who belonged to the first batch of students to visit Japan under the IRIS programme, shared her experience and said that she came across Japan’s technology on waste, water and disaster management, also visited Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
On the other hand, professor from Khasi department, Streamlet Dkhar cautioned the students to be hygienic and carry along a sanitiser with them in view of the Coronavirus outbreak in China. She has advised the students to wear masks as well.