17-Member Japanese Delegation to Explore Academics, Laboratories, Startups and Culture During September 12–14 Visit
Raipur : The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur warmly welcomed a 17-member delegation from Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan, marking the beginning of a three-day academic and cultural exchange programme between India and Japan.
The delegation arrived in Raipur on September 12 as part of the “Academic, Teaching and Cultural Visit Programme for Students,” scheduled from September 12 to 14, 2026. Representatives of NIT Raipur welcomed the Japanese delegation at Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur.
The programme is being organised under the guidance of Dr. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director, NIT Raipur, with the objective of strengthening academic collaboration, cultural understanding and people-to-people ties between students and institutions of India and Japan.
Cultural Programme Highlights India-Japan Friendship
A special welcome and cultural programme was organised at NIT Raipur to formally receive the delegation. The event provided students and faculty members from both institutions an opportunity to interact and exchange perspectives on the cultures, traditions and shared values of India and Japan.
The programme was attended by Dr. Sameer Bajpai, Director-in-Charge, NIT Raipur; Dr. Akira Yamanaka, Associate Professor and Head of the Ehime University delegation; Dr. S. Sanyal, Dean, Corporate Relations and Resource Mobilization; Dr. G. D. Ramtekker, Dean, Planning and Development; Dr. Manoj Kumar Chopkar, Dean, Student Welfare; and Dr. Dilip Singh Sisodia, Professor and Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Chief Coordinator of the three-day visit, along with faculty members and students.
NIT Raipur Highlights Deep-Rooted India-Japan Ties
In his welcome address, Dr. Sameer Bajpai spoke about the longstanding relationship between India and Japan and welcomed the Japanese delegation in the Japanese language.
He said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond political and economic cooperation and is also rooted in Buddhism and shared cultural connections. He highlighted the historical association of the Indian Buddhist monk Bodhisena with Japan as an example of the deep cultural links between the two nations.
Dr. Bajpai noted that India and Japan continue to respect each other’s traditions and cultures while expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. He also pointed to the strong presence of Japanese companies in India, including Toyota and Suzuki, as an example of growing economic engagement.
Welcoming the young participants, he emphasised that such exchange programmes can play an important role in building mutual understanding, friendship and long-term cooperation among the youth of both countries.
Ehime University Delegation Expresses Happiness Over India Visit
Dr. Akira Yamanaka, Associate Professor and head of the Ehime University delegation, expressed his happiness at being part of the programme and thanked NIT Raipur for the invitation and warm welcome.
He said the visit offered the delegation an opportunity to experience India more closely, interact with people and gain a deeper understanding of Indian culture and society. He also expressed hope that the exchange would contribute to strengthening relations between the two institutions and the two countries.
Students Showcase Indian and Japanese Cultural Traditions
The cultural segment of the programme featured performances highlighting the artistic traditions of both India and Japan.
NIT Raipur’s Raga Music Club presented a sitar performance of “Padharo Mhare Des,” creating a traditional Indian musical welcome for the visiting delegation.
The institute’s Nrityam Club followed with a Bharatanatyam presentation titled “Grace of Bharatanatyam,” showcasing the elegance and expressive richness of Indian classical dance. The energetic performances were warmly received by the audience.
Students from Ehime University also presented a musical performance, adding a Japanese dimension to the cultural programme and highlighting the spirit of friendship and exchange between the two countries.
The performances created a lively and celebratory atmosphere, with students and faculty members from both institutions actively participating in the cultural interactions.
Delegation to Visit Laboratories and Startup Ecosystem
The academic exchange will continue over the remaining two days of the programme. The Ehime University delegation is scheduled to visit science programmes and laboratories across various engineering departments at NIT Raipur.
The programme will also provide the visiting students with exposure to the institute’s startup ecosystem. In addition, the delegation will undertake educational and cultural visits to Raipur and nearby areas, giving the participants an opportunity to experience the region’s academic, technological and cultural landscape.
The three-day programme is expected to provide students from both institutions with meaningful opportunities for academic interaction, cultural learning and international exposure, further strengthening the India-Japan educational partnership.
