Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, today flagged off a group of 47 students who will represent India in the Sakura Science High School Programme 2024. The event took place at CIET-NCERT, New Delhi, and was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and the NCERT.
The students, selected from schools across India, will travel to Japan for a short-term visit from November 10-16, 2024, to experience Japan’s cutting-edge science and technology, as well as its rich cultural heritage. The delegation includes 18 boys and 29 girls, hailing from diverse regions such as Telangana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Sikkim, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Chandigarh, in addition to students from Kendriya Vidyalayas.
The Sakura Science Programme, initiated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in 2014, aims to broaden the intellectual horizons of young learners by providing them exposure to Japan’s advanced science and technology. Since India’s inclusion in the programme in 2015, the initiative has allowed Indian students to gain valuable insights into innovative practices and technological advancements in one of the world’s leading scientific nations.
In his address, Shri Sanjay Kumar highlighted the importance of such educational exchanges and how they contribute to a holistic, integrated, and experiential learning approach, as emphasized in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He noted that such international exposure plays a crucial role in fostering intellectual curiosity and global understanding among students.
The Sakura Science Programme is in line with NEP-2020’s vision of “holistic and engaging” learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. Educational trips like this one, which combine science with cultural exploration, provide students with opportunities to expand their knowledge while deepening their appreciation of different cultures.
This year, the programme brings together students not only from India but also from Indonesia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Peru, further strengthening global ties. The students will have the opportunity to visit scientific institutions, interact with Japanese researchers, and explore Japan’s technological innovations, enhancing their understanding of the global scientific landscape.
Since its inception, the Sakura Science Programme has hosted numerous students from India. A total of 572 students, along with 87 supervisors, have participated in the programme, with the most recent batch visiting Japan in October 2024. This exchange continues to foster stronger academic and cultural ties between India and Japan, helping students build a global perspective on science and innovation.
The 47 students departing for Japan are expected to return with enhanced knowledge, new ideas, and a broader worldview, contributing to India’s growing involvement in global scientific and technological advancement.
