IIT Bombay and Tohoku University Join Forces to Create Joint Excellence Hub

IIT Bombay and Tohoku University have signed an agreement to establish a Joint Institute of Excellence, marking a significant step towards deepening Indo-Japanese academic and research collaboration.

IIT Bombay and Tohoku University

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Tohoku University, Japan, have signed a Joint Statement to establish the Tohoku University–IIT Bombay Joint Institute of Excellence (JIE), a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing academic and research excellence, fostering industry-academia co-creation, and promoting diverse collaborative initiatives. For Indo-Japanese academic relations, the two institutions also formalized an agreement to launch a Dual Doctoral Degree Program, marking a transformative step in deepening bilateral research engagement.

This partnership is poised to catalyze cutting-edge research, enable dynamic student and faculty exchange, and foster innovation across critical domains of mutual interest ranging from sustainable energy and artificial intelligence to materials science, disaster resilience, and beyond. The agreements were formalised during a special ceremony held at Tohoku University, graced by senior officials, faculty members, and delegates from both institutions.

Among the distinguished attendees were: Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, Gakuji Ito, Director-General, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan, Kanji Fujiki, Director-General, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Sakura Science Exchange Program, Kazuhiro Aoki, Managing Director, The 77 Bank Ltd and a delegation from Tohoku University, led by its President, Prof. T. Tominaga.

Representing IIT Bombay at the ceremony were Sharad Kumar Saraf, Chairman of the Board of Governors; Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director; Prof. Milind Atrey, Deputy Director (ART); Prof. Sudarshan Kumar, Dean (International Relations); Prof. Suvarn Kulkarni, Dean (Academic Programs); Prof. P. Seshu, Convenor of the JIE Committee; and Chandrika Naik from the International Relations Office.

As part of the proceedings, Prof. Masahiro Yamaguchi provided an overview of the Joint Institute of Excellence (JIE) initiative between IIT Bombay and Tohoku University. Prof. Daisuke Komori highlighted Tohoku University’s ongoing activities, while Prof. P. Seshu outlined IIT Bombay’s contributions and shared the institute’s vision for collaboration.

In March 2025, IIT Bombay hosted a week-long Global Immersion Program for students from Tohoku University, laying the foundation for deeper academic engagement. This partnership heralds a new era of global academic synergy, innovation, and lasting friendship between India and Japan.

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