The “Indo-Japan Bilateral Symposium on Futuristic Materials and Manufacturing – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” was jointly hosted with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM).
On the 2nd (Friday) and 3rd (Saturday) of December, the “Indo–Japan Bilateral Symposium on Futuristic Materials and Manufacturing – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2022” was jointly hosted with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), which is one of our partner universities in the Inter-University Exchange Project (Support for Creation of Inter-University Exchanges in the Indo-Pacific Region).
This seminar is the third to be held following the first in July 2018 and the second in March 2020, and is one of the programs conducted to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with India under the Japan–Southwest Asia Exchange Year (2022) designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the seminar was changed from its original venue at IITM in Chennai to an online event. There were 24 participants from Japan and 58 participants from India. Mr. Masayuki Taga, the Consul-General of Japan in Chennai, delivered an address in which he spoke about his hopes for the seminar.
During the event, the participants discussed low-carbon technologies, model-based development, futuristic research and development technologies, as well as the materials and manufacturing needed to support these technologies. These advancements will ensure the continued implementation of research and development even if infections arise in anticipation of the post-corona era. The participants also deliberated on specific cooperative measures to promote the social implementation of SDG-targeting monozukuri technologies in India. As manufacturing technologies in India undergo remarkable developments, these exchanges will contribute to the establishment of a pioneering research hub that facilitates the early adoption of comprehensive technologies that integrate Japan’s monozukuri technologies and India’s exceptional IT know-how, and also reduce the environmental burden. Despite the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this seminar provided an excellent opportunity for young researchers in both Japan and India to continue and advance international joint research.
In addition, the seminar introduced the joint supervision system for the doctoral program between NUT and IITM, and noted that one doctoral student from IITM is scheduled to graduate this academic year. The participants agreed to continue discussions regarding IITM doctoral students who are eligible for joint supervision.
The next seminar is scheduled to be held in 2024. Along with the shared initiatives in the ongoing Inter-University Exchange Project, NUT hopes to further deepen our ties with IITM through the continuation of these seminars.