Press Release

New Delhi, July 29, 2021: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Record of Discussions with the Government of India for "the Project for Future Researchers at IITH to Enhance Network Development with Scholarship of Japan (FRIENDSHIP) Phase 2", a technical cooperation project.

The purpose of the project is to establish a sustainable platform for academic and industrial collaboration between India and Japan at IITH. To achieve this, JICA experts will be dispatched to the institute and several initiatives will be implemented. These include launching the Japan Desk at IITH, student exchange programmes, supporting collaborative activities with Japanese educational and research institutes, and providing JICA research funds to enhance research and technology development and industrial collaboration between India and Japan.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India said, "The relationship between JICA and IITH is steeped in legacy and has strengthened with time. Initially, in 2007, it was based on the commitment between the Prime Ministers of the two countries. Since then, we have been cooperating with IITH through various projects such as ODA loan for campus development, several technical cooperation projects, joint research projects and public-private partnership projects. The FRIENDSHIP project is one of the core activities between JICA and IITH, which supports personal and organizational interaction at various levels of faculty members, industry experts and students in the field of science and technology by providing opportunity and facilitation. I believe these activities are contributing towards enhancing academic and industrial relationship of two countries and in achieving quality growth of India in developing innovative technologies and conducting cutting edge research at the frontiers of science and technology."

The previous phase of the technical cooperation project was implemented to enhance the research network between IITH and first-rate higher education institutions/industrial clusters of Japan through the interaction of human resource in educational and research activities between IITH and Japan. Through the project, several quantitative achievements were observed such as 116 grantees were provided scholarship, 271 faculty members were exchanged between Japan and IITH, 32 MOU were signed between IITH, and Japanese academic institutions and 15 MOUs are signed between IITH and Japanese industries.

The terminal evaluation of the project is available in the following link.
Summary of the Terminal Evaluation (PDF)

For the overall Human Resource Development Sector in India, JICA has extended 31 billion Japanese Yen, (approximately Rs.2,067 Crore) (ODA Loan: 23 billion Japanese Yen, Grant Aid: 7.8 billion Japanese Yen) since 1988/89.

Lecture given to IITH students by Japanese professor under the FRIENDSHIP project.

Construction work is going on at the IITH campus through ODA loan project.

One of the buildings to be constructed by the ODA loan project.

About JICA

Established, by a specific 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 a sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in forms of loan, grant and technical cooperation so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Shusaku Takada / Vini Sharma
+91 11 49097000
Takada.Shusaku@jica.go.jp
Sharmavini.id@jica.go.jp

Edelman India
Rakhi Aurora
+91 95990 67185
Rakhi.Aurora@edelman.com