Kozhikode: The National Institute of Technology Calicut is gearing up to enhance industry relations, research and skill development by collaborating with Japanese industries and universities. The Institute has inked two Memorandums of Understanding with industries and academia in Japan to ensure advancement in technology and research sectors.
NITC has signed MoUs with India Japan Laboratory, Keio University and also with NehaN Technologies K.K, Japan. 'The NITC student community can reap the benefits of the collaboration as they will get the opportunity to engage in research and project works in Japan,'- said Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NIT Calicut, who is currently leading a delegation to Japan from NITC. He emphasised that the MoUs will facilitate and accelerate joint research, education, field studies and consultancy projects within India, Japan and other countries. Besides this, joint initiatives with Japanese industries and academia will help them make use of the advanced technologies and prepare for the industry, he added.
The MoU with India Japan Laboratory, Keio University will focus on undertaking the development of case studies and foster joint publications, research papers and reports.
This will not only foster R&D collaborations and faculty exchanges but also the exchange of students for skill development, and exchange of start-ups incubated in NITC for immersion and interactions with the industry in Japan.
The MoU between NITC and NehaN Technologies K.K, Japan focuses on campus support and industrial training for NITC students in Japan. The collaboration will also foster infrastructure facilities like incubation centres for NITC and ensure regular joint projects, awareness programs, exhibitions, and other relevant. Discussions are in progress to jointly develop an offshore NITC-Japan Skill Centre that will liaise with Japanese academia and industries for developing opportunities for the students of NITC for internships and career development under the purview of the MoU.
A seminar titled 'Indo-Japan Skill Connect: The Role of Mechatronics & Automation' organised jointly by the NIT Calicut and Nehan Technology KK at the Embassy of India in Tokyo was also a significant event of this visit which was initiated by NITC's Centre for International Relations. The seminar was attended by representatives from many leading industries and academia from Japan, and members of NITC Alumni - Japan in addition to the officials at the Embassy, delegates and the organisers.
Representatives of the Indian Embassy, delegates from NIT Calicut, NITCAA (NIT Calicut Alumni Association), and Nehan Technology KK deliberated on the initiatives by NITC to forge collaborations with academia and industry in Japan to the benefit of NITC fraternity. These are significant to the bilateral cooperation aligning with the policies of jointly conducting R&D, skill development and innovations for improved employability and competitiveness for the stakeholders.
Further discussions on research collaborations, and student exchanges for internships and skill development were held with Suzuki Motor Corporation at their HQ in Hamamatsu; Rakuten Group Inc., Tokyo, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Tokyo.