Events
LOTUS Programme Club Talent Circulation Conference in Hokkaido : Event Report
On September 9, 2026, the LOTUS Programme Club Talent Circulation Conference was held at the Academic Exchange Hall of Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. The conference brought together Indian graduate students and postdoctoral researchers participating in the LOTUS Programme, along with their academic supervisors, to share research outcomes and exchange ideas, thereby strengthening research networks and promoting further collaboration between Japan and India. Four conferences are planned for fiscal year 2026, including three in Japan and one in India. This inaugural conference was co-organised by Hokkaido University and the India Japan Society for Science, Technology and Education (IJSSTE).
In addition to 87 participants involved in the LOTUS Programme, the conference was attended by Indian faculty members and researchers working at universities and research institutions across Japan, bringing together a total of approximately 150 participants.
■Inauguration
During the opening ceremony, R. Madhu Sudan, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Tokyo, delivered remarks highlighting the importance of enhancing Japanese-Indian cooperation in science and technology as the two countries approach the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, which will take place in 2027.
He also expressed his expectation that exchanges among early-career researchers through the Sakura Science Program and the LOTUS Programme would expand, noting that closer collaboration between Japan’s advanced technological capabilities and India’s rich pool of young talent and innovative potential could contribute to solving global challenges in areas such as food, health, and materials science.
Next, Dr HOUKIN Kiyohiro, the President of Hokkaido University, introduced the university’s plans to expand the intake of Indian early-career researchers and promote new collaborative research initiatives. This was followed by presentations from the following: Dr MONDE Kenji, Executive Vice President of Hokkaido University; Dr Giridhar Parvatam, Director of CSIR-CFTRI; Rajesh Dharmani, Minister of Technical Education of Himachal Pradesh, India, who was visiting Japan; and Dr ITO Sotaro, Deputy Director-General of the Sakura Science Program Headquarters. The presenters highlighted the achievements made in Japanese-Indian research collaboration and talent development, and expressed their expectations for even closer cooperation in the years ahead.
Top right: Giridhar Parvatam, Director, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI)
Bottom left: MONDE Kenji, Executive Vice President, Hokkaido University
Bottom right: Rajesh Dharmani, Minister of Technical Education, Himachal Pradesh, India
■LOTUS Club Meeting Session
Indian researchers and their academic supervisors shared their experiences of conducting research and developing their careers in Japan.
He introduced a LOTUS Programme research project that predicts the impacts of air pollution, pollen exposure, and urban heat on children’s health. The interdisciplinary Japanese-Indian collaboration aims to develop health risk prediction models and decision-support tools while contributing to stronger bilateral research cooperation, including in disaster risk reduction.
Centre: Gupta Mitiksha (Hokkaido University/Shiv Nadar University)
She introduced her participation in a Japanese-Indian collaborative research project under the LOTUS Programme focused on the use of the BCG vaccine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. She noted that the programme has deepened her understanding of immunology while making a significant contribution to the advancement of her own research and the promotion of international collaborative research.
Right: Gupta Aishwarya (Institute of Science Tokyo/ IIT Indore)
She shared her research experience in Japan through the LOTUS Programme, noting that in addition to deepening her research skills and methodologies, the international research environment provided her with new perspectives and valuable professional networks that contributed significantly to her personal and academic growth. She also expressed her intention to continue collaborating with researchers in Japan and to further promote research exchanges between Japan and India.
■Poster session
Participants presented their research projects in front of posters that gave details of their research, engaging in active discussions and networking through lively question-and-answer sessions.
Short Interviews with Participants in Front of Their Posters
Standing in front of posters that gave details of their research, participants spoke freely about what they had gained through the LOTUS Programme, why they chose Japan, and their future goals and aspirations.
- I chose Japan to pursue research on landslides and debris flows, which pose significant challenges in both India and Japan. The LOTUS Programme has enabled me to collaborate closely with Japanese researchers and learn directly from real-world disasters. My goal is to obtain a PhD in Japan, continue my research as a postdoctoral fellow, and eventually become a university professor contributing to society through disaster prevention and mitigation research.
- I chose to conduct my research in Japan in order to collaborate with Japanese researchers whose work had long inspired me. The LOTUS Programme has provided me with valuable experiences and broadened my international outlook. A particular highlight was having the opportunity to attend an academic conference in South Korea. After earning my PhD, I would like to continue my research career in Japan as a postdoctoral researcher.
- I chose to conduct my research in Japan after experiencing its advanced research facilities and academic environment during a previous visit as a doctoral student. I also feel an affinity with Japan, as India and Japan share certain cultural similarities. In the future, I hope to obtain a full-time research position at a Japanese university and pursue my research activities over the long term.
- Inspired by the accomplishments of Professor SUZUKI Akira, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, I chose to conduct my research at Hokkaido University. Looking ahead, I aspire to build my research career in Japan and contribute to scientific advancement and society through continued research and innovation.
- I had only limited opportunities to pursue my specific research interests in India. Gifu University provided me with an ideal environment to carry out the research I was passionate about, and being able to do so has been the most valuable aspect of my experience in Japan.
- One of the greatest highlights of my experience here has been the research environment itself. I have had access to advanced facilities and equipment, as well as frequent and meaningful discussions with my supervisor, which have helped me pursue innovative research ideas. I was particularly impressed by the close one-to-one interaction with my supervisor. In addition, the opportunity to operate a variety of research instruments myself has greatly strengthened my technical expertise and practical research skills.
- The excellent research facilities here have enabled me to gain valuable hands-on experience by conducting experiments myself. Another major advantage has been the opportunity to expand my professional network and connect with researchers from diverse backgrounds.
- Through the LOTUS Programme, I have gained new approaches to research and fresh perspectives. As a specialist in urban planning, I have come to realise how important diverse viewpoints are for advancing research. By learning new ways of thinking and approaching research from my supervisor in Japan, I have gained a deeper understanding of my research topic and have been able to explore it from perspectives I had not considered before.
- I am engaged in the relatively new field of green energy. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to conduct my research in a well-equipped laboratory. The excellent research environment enables me to carry out my work efficiently. In addition, my academic supervisor is an expert in this field, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to conduct my research under their guidance.
- While conducting research at Tohoku University on mitigating the damage to buildings caused by earthquakes, I have gained valuable insights into how Japan’s know-how and technologies can be applied to disaster management challenges in India. My experience in Japan has also extended beyond research, giving me opportunities to visit different parts of the country and engage in meaningful cultural exchange.
- My research at Hokkaido University in the field of seismic engineering has allowed me to learn Japan’s advanced experimental techniques and precise research methodologies. The experience has been invaluable, and I hope to make use of the knowledge and skills I have acquired in Japan to contribute to research and disaster resilience efforts in India in the future.
Bringing together LOTUS Programme participants from across Japan, the conference facilitated active exchanges beyond institutional and regional boundaries and helped expand professional networks that included both Indian and Japanese researchers. The event served as a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the network of highly skilled professionals in science, engineering, and healthcare linking Japan and India, paving the way for deeper research collaboration and human resource exchange in the future.