Delegation from Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee paid a courtesy visit to President Otani

On Monday, October 20, 2025, a delegation of six faculty members and students from the Department of Biosciences ＆ Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) paid a courtesy visit to President Otani of Shimane University.

This visit was made possible through a collaborative initiative led by Associate Prof.Hemanth Noothalapati of the Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, which was selected for the Japan Science and Technology Agency’s (JST) “Sakura Science Program,” part of the International Youth Science Exchange Project. During their two-week stay, the delegation will be based at Shimane University’s Medical and Biological Raman Project Center, engaging in intensive research exchange that leverages the strengths of both Japanese and Indian research teams.

At the beginning of the courtesy visit, President Otani warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his hope that the exchange would be a meaningful experience for both institutions and lead to new collaborative research opportunities. Dr. Rishikesh Pandey from IITR shared impressions of their earlier visits to Matsue and Hiroshima, and conveyed gratitude for the valuable experiences the students have had so far. Following this, each student spoke about their impressions of Japanese culture and people, as well as their aspirations for the remainder of their stay.

In the latter half of the visit, the delegation is scheduled to participate in a variety of activities, including joint research, workshops, and a public seminar with Shimane University students. It is hoped that this exchange will serve as a catalyst for continued collaboration and the development of new joint research initiatives between the two universities.

　

　

Front row from left: Prof. Hemanth Noothalapati, President Hiroki Otani, Dr. Rishikesh Pandey(IITR) , Vice President Yoshimi Kataoka,Back row : Students from IITR

Prior to the courtesy visit, Shimane University Ambassadors conducted a campus tour and university introduction. Three ambassadors presented an overview of the university using slides, followed by a guided tour of the campus. Despite the rainy weather, the delegation visited several key sites, including the bust of Nobel Laureate Dr. C.V. Raman—donated by the Government of India in May 2025—the University Museum ASHIKARU, and the University Library, offering a glimpse into the unique appeal of Shimane University.