Japan Education and Skill Development Cell Set up at SGT University by IJCC

Gurugram: SGT University marked a significant milestone in its internationalisation journey with the inauguration of the Japan Education and Skill Development Cell (JESDC), an initiative developed in strategic collaboration with the Indo Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) pursuant to the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen academic cooperation, skill development, and cultural exchange between India and Japan.

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Hemant Verma, who highlighted the importance of global academic partnerships in preparing students for a competitive and interconnected world. He noted that structured collaborations such as this one can play a meaningful role in creating future-ready opportunities for students.

The event witnessed the presence of distinguished delegates from leading Japanese organisations and institutions. Among the eminent speakers were Rahul Mishra, Chairman, Indo Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC); Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO; Koji Sato, Director General, The Japan Foundation; Kuriyama Akira, JICA Expert deputed to NSDC; and Tomoya Miyamoto, Senior Secretary, JCCII.

In his address, Rahul Mishra emphasised that India and Japan are complementary partners, with increasing demand for skilled Indian professionals in Japan. He highlighted IJCC’s role in building institutional and industry linkages and described the initiative as a gateway to global careers supported by structured collaboration, language preparedness, and cultural understanding.

Takashi Suzuki noted the growing presence of Japanese companies in India and stressed the need to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. He underlined that combining language learning with cultural understanding and skill development is essential to meet industry requirements.

Koji Sato highlighted the expanding global interest in Japanese language education and appreciated the role of institutions in promoting cultural awareness alongside structured learning and academic support.

Kuriyama Akira described the initiative as a step towards building a strong India–Japan talent corridor. He emphasized that language proficiency and cultural understanding are critical for accessing meaningful global career opportunities.

Tomoya Miyamoto highlighted that Japanese language skills open access to specialised opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, research, and trade, and described the cell as a gateway to international academic and professional exposure.

Also present on the occasion were Jenica Kalra, Deputy Director, JETRO, Prakash Yadav, and Vice Chairman, IJCC.

The ceremony commenced with a traditional invocation and lamp lighting, followed by the felicitation of distinguished guests. The formal inauguration of the Japan Education and Skill Development Cell marked the beginning of a new chapter in SGT University’s global outreach and its institutional partnership with IJCC.

The initiative has been jointly conceptualised by the Centre for Foreign Languages and the Office of International Relations at SGT University, in collaboration with the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce. Under the MoU framework, both institutions will work together to build a structured roadmap for academic exchange, skill development, industry alignment, and future engagement with Japanese institutions and employers.

The newly established cell is envisioned as a platform to promote Japanese language proficiency, facilitate academic exchange, and create pathways for students to engage with internships, research opportunities, and employment avenues in Japan. The collaboration is intended to move beyond language instruction alone and develop into a long-term, goal-oriented institutional framework with measurable outcomes.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a networking session, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering long-term academic and professional partnerships between the two nations. SGT University and IJCC reaffirmed their intent to work closely in implementing the MoU through a clear roadmap and joint action plan.