The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) and Tohoku University have signed a Joint Statement to establish the Tohoku University–IIT Bombay Joint Institute of Excellence (JIE). The signing took place on 15 April 2025 at a formal ceremony hosted by Tohoku University in Japan.
The agreement aims to promote advanced research collaboration, student and faculty exchange, and joint initiatives in fields such as sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, materials science, and disaster resilience.
Alongside the establishment of the JIE, the two institutions signed a separate agreement to launch a Dual Doctoral Degree Programme. The initiative is being described as a major step forward in deepening bilateral research collaboration between the two countries.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone in Indo-Japanese academic relations,” said Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, during the event. “We are hopeful that the Joint Institute of Excellence will become a platform for innovation and long-term cooperation in critical areas of global importance.”
Senior officials from both institutions, along with diplomats and government representatives, were present at the event. Among them were Mr Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, and Mr Gakuji Ito, Director-General of the Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan. Mr Kanji Fujiki of the Japan Science and Technology Agency and Mr Kazuhiro Aoki, Managing Director of The 77 Bank Ltd, were also in attendance.
Tohoku University President Prof. T. Tominaga led the host delegation, while the IIT Bombay team included Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr Sharad Kumar Saraf, Deputy Director (ART) Prof. Milind Atrey, Dean of International Relations Prof. Sudarshan Kumar, and other senior faculty members.
During the ceremony, Prof. Masahiro Yamaguchi gave an overview of the new Joint Institute of Excellence, while Prof. Daisuke Komori outlined Tohoku University’s ongoing collaborative efforts. Prof. P. Seshu, who also serves as convenor of the JIE Committee at IIT Bombay, spoke about the institute’s long-term vision for the partnership.
The agreement follows a Global Immersion Programme held at IIT Bombay in March, which brought a group of Tohoku University students to India. “The feedback from our students was overwhelmingly positive,” said Prof. Komori. “They found the experience at IIT Bombay both academically enriching and culturally rewarding.”
Officials from both sides said the new initiatives would help address global challenges through interdisciplinary research and cross-border academic collaboration. While the long-term impact remains to be seen, the establishment of the JIE is being viewed as a concrete step towards creating lasting academic and cultural ties between India and Japan.
