Koraput: In a significant development, the Central University of Odisha (CUO) inaugurated its Japanese Language Certificate Course on Wednesday.
CUO Vice-Chancellor Prof Chakradhar Tripathi officially launched the course at an event held on the campus. Distinguished guests included Sato Koji, Director of the Japanese Foundation in New Delhi; Sushri Hakamata Maho, Representative of the Ambassador of Japan to India; and Prof Nabin Kumar Panda from the University of Delhi’s East Asian Studies department.
Faculty members, senior officials, and enthusiastic students of the university also graced the event with their presence, a press release from CUO said.
In his address, Prof Tripathi emphasised the technological advancements in agriculture, animal husbandry & dairy science, and forest management in Japan, describing it as a global leader in these fields. He expressed his hope that undergraduate students undertaking this course would not only learn the Japanese language but also bring these advanced technologies to India through the University.
He said this initiative would significantly enhance practices in agriculture, animal husbandry & dairy science, and forest management, contributing to the growth of the region and the nation.
He encouraged students to focus on their studies and research and become torchbearers for the nation. He hoped our students would excel in their best in the fields of agriculture, science and technology and they would eventually become Nobel laureates.
This marks a historic moment as the Central University of Odisha becomes the first public university in the state to offer a Japanese Language course, aligning with the Government of India’s Act East policy.
Speaking at the event, Sato Koji, Director of the Japanese Foundation in New Delhi, emphasised the bright prospects for students who learn the Japanese language in the current scenario. He appreciated the noble initiative of Prof. Tripathi for launching Japanese language education at the University, which marks a significant milestone in the region’s academic landscape and holds the promise of fostering greater collaboration between India and Japan.
Hakamata Maho highlighted the cultural similarities between Japan and Odisha in terms of food, traditions, and religion. She emphasised how learning Japanese would promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, fostering collaboration in technology, education, tourism, and other fields.
She also recalled the meetings between the Prime Ministers of both nations during the G20 Summit in New Delhi and expressed hope that the university would become a hub for Japanese education in India.
Prof Nabin Kumar Panda shared insights into the numerous opportunities available in India’s corporate sector, especially in Japan, for students proficient in the Japanese language. He emphasized the potential for students to qualify for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and pursue higher studies in Japan.
The initial intake capacity for the Japanese Language Certificate course is set at sixty students, with admissions taking place through an entrance test scheduled for October 9, 2023.
The course will be divided into two sections, each accommodating 30 students.