RONO HILLS, Feb 6: In a significant step towards strengthening international academic relations and promoting cultural exchange involving research scholars, students, and Japanese delegates, the Department of Anthropology and International Research Scholars’ Cell, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), Japan, successfully conducted a Student Interaction Programme with the visiting delegation at the RGU’s mini academic hall here today.
Addressing the gathering, RGU Vice Chancellor Prof S K Nayak highlighted the importance of international academic collaboration in broadening students’ global perspectives and fostering cross-cultural understanding. He said: “International academic engagement is essential in today’s interconnected world. Programmes like this provide our students with global exposure, broaden their perspectives, and nurture mutual respect among cultures. Rajiv Gandhi University remains committed to strengthening international collaborations that enrich teaching, learning, and research.”
Speaking at the event, RGU Registrar Dr N T Rikam emphasized the university’s commitment to promoting international engagement and providing platforms for students to interact with global institutions. He said: “Such interactions play a vital role in building academic bridges and promoting institutional cooperation. The collaboration with the SPF reflects RGU’s continuous efforts to encourage cross-cultural dialogue and meaningful academic exchange.”
The Registrar also expressed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RGU and SPF (Japan), aimed at strengthening academic collaboration and promoting youth exchange programmes.
Dr David Pertin, Jt Registrar and Convenor, International Scholars’ Cell (RGU), outlined the objectives of the programme, stating that such interactions would help students gain insights into global academic practices and strengthen people-to-people connect between India and Japan. He stressed that academic growth today must transcend classrooms, borders, and disciplines.
SPF Programme Officer Atsushi Tsujimoto, in his brief speech, dwelt on the Japanese Foundation's endeavours to promote peace, cultural exchange, and academic cooperation, and to encourage students to actively participate in international academic discourse. He shared insights on Japan-India academic collaborations in general and SPF, Japan and RGU, India in particular.
The event also marked sharing of experiences in Hiroshima University, Japan by two Hiroshima Orizuru Fellows from RGU Taba Yami and Modang Onju as they did the fellowship from Hiroshima University, through the SPF participating in a summer course on peace and sustainability in August last year.
Earlier, Taba Menia, a faculty member in the Dept of Anthropology, presented a visual narrative on Arunachal Pradesh and anchored the interactions.
A key highlight of the programme was the interaction session, which gave students and research scholars the opportunity to engage directly with Japanese delegates and gain insights into international academic and cultural exchanges.
Besides PO Atsushi Tsujimoto, the Japanese delegation included students Sakuya Irikado (Okayama University), Nicola Kawawa (University of Tokyo), Sarah Anne Cutting (Waseda University), Kasumi Kawasaki (Nagasaki University), Saki Takikawa (Soka University), Mifuyu Ono (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) and Yuzuki Hosoi (Delhi University).
The session also saw Cultural Sharing and Exchange, where a vibrant cultural fusion dance was presented by the students of RGU, followed by presentations by the Japanese delegates and RGU scholars, showcasing cultural perspectives and academic insights. An informal interaction session allowed students and delegates to engage in open dialogue, exchange ideas, and build mutual understanding. Organizing committee members from RGU Dr Dibyajyoti Das, Taba Menia and Dr Landi Pussang Monia, and Minu Ete, founder of Murasaki Centre for Excellence, Itanagar and others also spoke.