IIT Guwahati and Gifu University, Japan, award degrees to the first batch of Joint International Master’s Programme Graduates in Food Science and Technology

Guwahati: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Gifu University, Japan, have awarded the first batch of Joint International Master’s Programme in Food Science and Technology, in an event on 25th March 2021. This award ceremony was organised at Gifu University, Japan, in the virtual presence of Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Director, Prof. S. K. Kakoty, Deputy Director, IIT Guwahati, Prof. Chitralekha Mahanta, Dean, Academic Affairs, Prof. Mihir Purkait, Dean, Alumni & External Relations and other dignitaries.

Having located in one of the biodiversity hotspots in Indian, IIT Guwahati has the potential to contribute significantly to the global economy in the area of food science and technology. With this goal, IIT Guwahati and Gifu University have collaborated to offer a Joint International Master’s Programme since April 2019 to nurture highly-skilled professionals in food and related industries. Ms. Yume Saito, Ms. Ayaka Tsuchiya, Ms. Haruka Maruyama, and Mr. Tatsushi Aoyagi, completed their graduation after visiting IIT Guwahati for a semester from July 2019 to November 2019 as a part of this programme.

Virtually addressing the gathering, Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “This is indeed a historic moment for the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Gifu University, Japan that our joint vision, commitment and collaboration to establish this Joint Degree Programme is finally bearing fruit”.

Prof. Sitharam congratulated the four graduates and all the faculty members involved, in making this programme a huge success. He further added, “These programmes should now be a template for all joint degree programmes that are undertaken. The quality of research work and papers that have come out from this programme till date and the quality of students, faculty and researchers will ensure that we become role models in running a successful international collaboration programme”.

Prof. Hisataka Moriwaki, President, Gifu University, Japan, also congratulated both the Institutes and wished the graduating class a success in the future. He was accompanied by Prof. Fumiiaki Suzuki, Gifu University Fellow.

Deputy Director of IIT Guwahati, Prof. S. K. Kakoty, in his address underlined that this was a milestone for both the institutions and wished all the students and stakeholders involved in this programme a success.

Prof. Chitralekha Mahanta, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Guwahati, in her address highlighted that, “The course and content of the Joint Degree Programme and the stay of Japanese students at IIT Guwahati have enhanced their knowledge and understanding not only of their own academic field but also of the life and culture of the people of India in general and the people of Assam in particular”.

“This exchange of academics and culture will continue to foster and strengthen the bonds between our two institutions and our countries”, added Prof. Mahanta in her address.

The graduating class students also shared their experiences about the programme and visit to IIT Guwahati and were confident that more students from Japan will take this as an example for opting course.