RV University hosts Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan and signs Agreement for Cooperation

16 July 2024, Bengaluru: RV University (RVU) has joined a select list of two universities in India with which Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan has signed a mutual cooperation agreement. It provides for training and placement of Indian students in Japan. This pioneering initiative by the Japanese Government aims to address the human resource shortage in Ibaraki Prefecture.

A Joint Statement to this effect has been signed by Mr. Kazuhiko Oigawa, Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan and Prof. (Dr.) Y.S.R. Murthy, Vice Chancellor, RVU in the presence of Dr. (h.c.) A.V.S. Murthy, Chancellor, RVU and Mr. Tsutomu Nakane, Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru at its campus today. This significant agreement marks the first such initiative by the Japanese Prefectural Government, demonstrating their commitment to fostering international cooperation and enhancing workforce capabilities.

Mr. Kazuhiko Oigawa is leading an eight-member Japanese delegation representing the prefectural government bodies and industry. The delegation is accompanied by the Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru, Mr. Tsutomu Nakane.

RV University is uniquely positioned in India among a few universities offering a credit-bearing Japanese language certificate course, duly approved by the Japan Foundation. This course has received support from the Embassy of Japan in India.

Expressing happiness over the signing of the agreement, Mr. Kazuhiko Oigawa, Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan said, “I am very happy to be able to issue the Joint Statement on Mutual Cooperation in Training, Sending and Accepting Human Resources with RV University. For students who have developed an interest in Japan and have studied the Japanese language, we sincerely hope you will consider employment opportunities in Ibaraki Prefecture.”

Sharing his delight on the development, Mr. Tsutomu Nakane, Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru said, “RV University, Bengaluru recently established a Japanese Language and Research Centre in the month of February this year. The Centre has grown in leaps and bounds since its inception, educating its students in Japanese language and culture, while establishing ties with many universities in Japan for student exchange programs and joint research. In a momentous occasion, RV University entered into an Agreement of Cooperation with the Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan today. It gives me great pleasure to bear witness to this unique association between a university and a prefectural government. The scenic Ibaraki prefecture’s proximity to Tokyo gives it the advantage of an affordable metropolitan lifestyle, without the drawbacks of living in a crowded city. It is home to JAXA, Japan’s national space agency as well as many universities, research centers and global manufacturing companies such as Hitachi, Komatsu, Canon etc. I’m certain this association will open up a myriad of possibilities for the youth of Bengaluru to work or study in Ibaraki, while the prefectural government will gain exceptional human resource from Bengaluru. “

Welcoming the Joint Statement, Dr. (h.c.) A.V.S. Murthy, Chancellor, RV University said, “This Joint Statement will open up placement opportunities with global manufacturers, IT sector, universities and research organisations in Ibaraki Prefecture for RVU students primarily from the engineering stream, as well as other disciplines. In addition to RV University, this initiative will also benefit students from the RV College of Engineering (RVCE) by facilitating international placements and internships in Japan.”

Commenting on this development, Vice Chancellor, RVU, Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy said, “A few months back, I visited Japan and signed MoUs with several Japanese universities. In this backdrop, this partnership with Ibaraki Prefecture underscores RV University’s commitment to provide our students with global opportunities and enhancing their employability in the international market. It will go a long way in further deepening strong political, economic, educational and cultural ties between both the countries. I wish to acknowledge the trust reposed in RV Institutions by the Consul General, Mr. Tsutomu Nakane and indeed the Japanese Government.”

During his visit, Governor Oigawa met with students studying Japanese language at RVU to discuss their job prospects. He also engaged with staff and faculty members learning Japanese to explore research opportunities in Japan and the scholarships available to them from the Japanese Prefectural Government.

The delegation included Masayoshi Ohtake, Director General, Department of Industrial Strategy, Ibaraki Prefecture, Michinari Masuda, Director, Employment Opportunity Promotion Section, Labour Affairs Division, Ibaraki Prefecture, Yohei Ichisawa, Staff, Employment Opportunity Promotion Section, Labour Affairs Division, Ibaraki Prefecture, Ryoichi Tomita, President, Sekisho Career Plus Inc., Masafumi Handa, General Manager, Sekisho Career Plus Inc., Yamato Kokuban, Staff International Business Section, Sekisho Career Plus Inc., Kiyotishi Araki, Director Business Development Division, Sekisho Corporation and Eshna Sachdeva, Staff Business Development Division, Sekisho Corporation and Hokuto Kaya, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru.

Earlier this month, the Consul General of Japan in Bengaluru, Mr. Tsutomu Nakane met with Dr. M.P. Shyam, President, Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust (RSST), RVU’s parent sponsoring body and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Y.S.R. Murthy to discuss the plans for this collaboration.