Guwahati: Assam Skill University (ASU), in collaboration with the Japan Foundation and the Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC), has launched a series of Japanese cultural exchange programmes across educational institutions in the Northeast to promote language learning and strengthen cultural ties between India and Japan.
The initiative began at the ITI Birubari campus on Tuesday, with 75 students participating in interactive sessions on Japanese culture, traditions and language.
The programme is part of the Japanese Language Teacher Development Programme (JLTDP), launched on July 1 by ASU, the Japan Foundation and IJBC to develop a pool of trained Japanese language teachers in the region and expand career opportunities for local youth.
Under the eight-month programme, candidates receive specialised training and mentorship from three native Japanese faculty members. As part of the cultural outreach initiative, trainees are conducting interactive sessions to introduce students to Japanese language and cultural practices.
The programme at ITI Birubari featured workshops on Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) and Origami (paper folding), along with a traditional Yukata dressing session and an introduction to Bon Odori, a Japanese folk dance. Students also participated in an introductory Japanese language session.
Hanif Noorani, registrar of Assam Skill University, said the initiative would help develop trained Japanese language teachers while exposing students to Japanese culture and creating opportunities for further learning and career advancement.
The next programmes are scheduled at Girijananda Chowdhury University on November 3 and the Regional College of Nursing on November 7. Further sessions are being planned at IIT Guwahati, ASU’s Mangaldai campus and institutions in Shillong.
Rajeev Gupta, chairperson of IJBC’s Northeast region, said the collaboration would strengthen India-Japan relations while creating new educational and career opportunities for young people in the region.
Through the programme, the participating institutions aim to expand access to foreign language education, promote cross-cultural understanding and develop skills relevant to emerging career opportunities.
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