IIT Hyderabad to collaborate with Japan International Cooperation Agency

As a part of the second phase of partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad is offering an augmented association with the Japanese industry and academia apart from research laboratories. The major focus is being put on the exchange of Ph.D. students, Joint Masters and Ph.D. programmes. IIT Hyderabad is looking to build a long-term viable association with JICA, which is a governmental organisation that synchronises with official development aid for the government of Japan.

The alliance between IIT Hyderabad and Japan began in August 2007 based on the obligation between the prime ministers of India and Japan. A project for future researchers at IIT Hyderabad to enhance network development with the scholarship of Japan (FRIENDSHIP) was introduced by JICA in July 2010. The Friendship programme consisted of JICA support for student and faculty exchanges and co-operative projects between IIT-H and Japanese varsities and industry. JICA had sent 5 long-term specialists to coordinate the project.

IIT Hyderabad got noteworthy help for research in five areas - Sustainable Development (SD), Environment and Energy (EE), Next-Generation Communication Technologies (NGCT), Design and Manufacturing (DM), and Nano Technology and Nano Science (NTNC). IIT-Hyderabad researchers applied for 51 patents as a part of the project. Under the Collaboration Kickstarter Program (CKP), seven research projects have been chosen and approximately Rs 2.67 crore distributed so far.

Overall 116 IIT-H students got the FRIENDSHIP scholarship to study in 14 universities in Japan. A total of 88 IIT-H graduates have attained several positions at a Japanese academic institution or industry apart from this programme. The project has resulted in the signing of 56 MOUs between IIT-H and Japanese universities, research labs and industries.

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