IIT Hyderabad and JICA unite to nourish Design Innovation JICA Chair Lecture Series concludes successfully

・Sustained Collaboration: IITH and JICA fostered stronger ties, advancing design innovation together
・Inspiring Speakers: Renowned architects shared insights, fuelling creativity among 100 participants
・Gateway to the Future: The event sets the stage for the JICA Lecture Series and “Ayaam” - Annual Fest of the Department of Design, IIT Hyderabad.

Hyderabad, February 22, 2024 The collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reached new heights as the JICA Chair Lecture Series concluded successfully. The event brought approximately 100 participants, setting the stage for future collaborations and educational initiatives. The event was also energized with the 2nd edition of “Ayaam” - Annual Fest of the Department of Design, IITH.

The JICA Chair Lecture Series featured distinguished speakers, each respected in their field, who shared insights into the world of design and innovation. Dr Yozo Fujino, President of Josai University and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, highlighted his expertise in bridge dynamics, control, and monitoring, drawing on lessons learned from 50 years of bridge research, including the iconic Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Dr Hidetoshi Ohno, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo and Principal at APL Design Workshop showcased his award-winning career, including notable projects like the University of Tokyo's Institute of Physics and Mathematics and the Sports & Cultural Complex at IITH. Dr Yoshiyuki Kawazoe, Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, shared his architectural works and design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of spaces like the "Hotel" and "General Library Annex at the University of Tokyo" in fostering creativity and community gathering and the idea behind the Design of Knowledge Centre at IITH.

Prof B S Murty, Director, IITH, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "The second annual JICA Chair Lecture Series underscores the significance of the IITH-Japan relationship in fostering innovation and knowledge exchange in the field of design for both the Nations. I hope that this lecture series continues to build strong relation between IITH & JICA and also India and Japan."

Mr. Saito, Chief of JICA, India, also emphasized the importance of such collaborations, saying, "JICA is proud to support initiatives that promote Japan – India knowledge-sharing and cultural exchange. Our partnership with IITH is a testament to the strong bond between Japan and India in nurturing design excellence."

The event, held at the Auditorium, Convention Centre, IITH, witnessed an enthusiastic audience. The success of these engaging lectures and Ayaam has set a positive tone for future collaborations between IITH and JICA, further enhancing the academic and cultural ties between the two Nations - India and Japan.

Established by law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency and works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, providing assistance in the form of loans, grants, and technical cooperation, to enable the emerging countries to strengthen their capabilities.

Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) is one of the eight IITs established by the Government of India in 2008. In a short span of 15 years, the institute has become one of the top-ranked institutions in the country and has received global recognition. It has 300+ full-time faculty, ~4,800 students, 18 Departments + 1 Centre for Interdisciplinary Programs, nearly 500+ state-of-the-art Research Facilities, and five research and entrepreneurship centres. The institute has a strong research focus with approx. Rs. 1,000+ Cr of sanctioned research funding, with PG+PhD students accounting for about 60% of total student strength. IITH has more than 10,000+ research publications with 1,50,000+ Citations, 200+ Published Patents, 3,700+ sponsored/consultancy projects with 500+ running projects, and about 150+ startups that have generated 1,000+ jobs and a revenue of Rs. 1,200+ Cr. Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Koo, and YouTube for the latest updates.
To know more, please visit https://www.iith.ac.in/

For further information, please contact: JICA India Office (+91)-11-49097000
MOROMI Chika/Moromi.Chika@jica.go.jp
Aishwarya Mishra/ Mishra-Aishwarya@jica.go.jp