Beyond Geopolitics: India & Japan Forge New Educational Bridge at Bengaluru Conclave

Forging an Educational Bridge: India and Japan Chart Future of Academic Collaboration

Bengaluru: In a significant move to deepen academic ties, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) hosted a high-level delegation from Japan’s prestigious University of Tokyo (UTokyo) for the India-Japan Higher Education Conclave 2025 on Thursday. The event, centred on the theme “Future of Global Education in India and Japan: Exchanging Knowledge and Innovation; AI & The Future of Jobs,” marks a pivotal step in translating the nations’ strategic partnership into concrete educational frameworks.

Held against the backdrop of a warming bilateral relationship, the conclave brought together university leaders, policymakers, and scholars to map the future of academic cooperation. The delegation, led by Professor (Dr.) Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President for Global and Diversity Affairs at UTokyo, and including Professor (Dr.) Satsuki Shioyama, engaged in detailed discussions to forge enhanced collaborative pathways.

#Karnataka

Dr. C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of @JindalGlobalUNI, said Japan offers major opportunities for Indian students in research, AI and technology, supported by a progressive visa regime and an affordable education system.

He noted that Japanese universities… pic.twitter.com/rTGqfbtmcm

— RafeeQ Jabbar Naqshbandi (@azzharee) December 11, 2025

A Strategic Vision for Academic Partnership

In his opening remarks, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, framed the visit within the broader geopolitical context. “The University of Tokyo leadership is in Bengaluru to strengthen ties with India through higher education collaboration,” he stated. “They aim to understand the Indian education system, regulatory framework, and foster industry-academia partnerships, while addressing the low number of Indian students in Japan.”

The collaboration, he emphasized, is a proactive initiative. “This is about fostering strong independent relationships between India and Japan, not merely a reaction to other policies,” he noted, highlighting historical ties like Buddhism and successful industrial collaborations such as Maruti Suzuki.

Addressing the Student Mobility Gap

A central focus of the dialogue was the stark disparity in student numbers. While Japan hosts over 125,000 Chinese and 60,000 Nepalese students, only about 1,500 Indian students are currently enrolled in Japanese institutions—a figure both parties identified as a key challenge.

Professor Hayashi acknowledged the gap while outlining Japan’s commitment to change. “The number of students coming to Japan is currently very small… Increasing this is crucial for the future of both Japan and the students’ home countries,” she said. She detailed efforts to make Japan more accessible, including expanding English-medium degree programs and strengthening industry linkages to facilitate post-study careers.

Professor Kumar highlighted the compelling value proposition for Indian students. “Japanese universities provide quality and excellence at an affordable cost—approximately $3,000 annually, which is significantly lower than many Western alternatives,” he explained. He also pointed to Japan’s “progressive visa regime” as a facilitating factor.

University of Tokyo Calls for Deeper India–Japan Academic Collaboration

The University of Tokyo’s Executive Vice President, Professor Kaori Hayashi, said in #Bengaluru that India and Japan share a long history and a growing strategic partnership that must now expand through… pic.twitter.com/r0cqO1U70l

— RafeeQ Jabbar Naqshbandi (@azzharee) December 11, 2025

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Blueprints for Collaboration: From Degrees to Research

The conclave served as a platform to solidify specific areas of partnership. The universities explored frameworks for two-way student and faculty mobility, the development of joint and dual degree programmes, and short-term study schemes. A landmark short-term study abroad programme for JGU students at UTokyo is already scheduled for summer 2026.

Furthermore, the institutions agreed to design collaborative research projects leveraging complementary strengths, alongside innovative teaching formats like co-taught courses and joint seminars. “We aim to investigate potential collaborations between industry and academia,” Professor Kumar said. “This interface directly impacts how knowledge systems developed in universities can be applied for societal benefit.”

A Shared Future Built on Knowledge

Both leaders positioned universities as vital incubators for future leadership and global problem-solving. “Universities are institutions that shape the future through the people they nurture,” Professor Hayashi remarked. She stressed that global challenges like climate change, public health, and ethical technology use “demand global perspectives and transnational cooperation.”

Echoing this sentiment, Professor Hayashi linked the initiative to the highest levels of bilateral diplomacy, referencing the agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August 2025 visit to Japan to strengthen higher education ties. The shared goal is to significantly boost professional and academic exchanges, with an ambition to facilitate over 500,000 such interactions within five years.

“By uniting brilliant minds from India, Japan, and other regions, we can invest in a generation that will lead with wisdom, compassion, and creativity,” Professor Hayashi concluded, expressing optimism for the partnership’s trajectory. For JGU and UTokyo, this conclave represents more than a dialogue—it is the foundational step in building a durable educational bridge between two of Asia’s most influential democracies.