ICFAST 2026: India–Japan Science Seminar Marks 20 Years of JSPS Alumni Collaboration
India and Japan mark two decades of scientific collaboration as ICFAST 2026 brings leading researchers together at IIT Gandhinagar on 30 November–1 December. The 16th India–Japan Science, Technology and Education Seminar will spotlight research, innovation and academic partnerships, alongside the 20th anniversary of the Indian JSPS Alumni Association. Registration closes 13 November 2026.
Researchers, scientists and academics interested in India–Japan research collaboration have until 13 November 2026 to register for the 16th India–Japan Science, Technology and Education Seminar, which will be held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 30 November and 1 December 2026.
Organised as part of the International Conference on Frontier Areas of Science & Technology (ICFAST 2026), the seminar will bring together researchers and academic experts from India and Japan for discussions on emerging areas of science, technology and education. The event will also mark the 20th anniversary of the Indian JSPS Alumni Association (IJAA), highlighting two decades of scientific exchange and academic engagement between the two countries.
With keynote addresses, plenary sessions, invited lectures and research poster presentations, ICFAST 2026 is expected to provide a platform for established scientists and young researchers to explore opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships.
Two decades of India–Japan scientific exchange
Founded in 2006, the Indian JSPS Alumni Association has played an important role in sustaining academic and research connections between India and Japan. The association brings together Indian researchers who have undertaken research in Japan through programmes supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
According to the JSPS, IJAA had 509 alumni as of April 2026 and operates through four regional chapters covering North, West, South and East India. The association organises an annual academic symposium supported by JSPS and undertakes activities to facilitate research and academic relations between the two countries.
The 20th anniversary of IJAA provides an opportunity to recognise how individual research fellowships and academic exchanges have developed into a wider institutional network connecting scientists, universities and research organisations in India and Japan.
The Gandhinagar seminar is being organised by IJAA in collaboration with IIT Gandhinagar. Japan's JSPS is sponsoring the event, with support from the India Japan Society for Science, Technology and Education (IJSSTE), Japan.
Prof. D. Sakthi Kumar of Toyo University, Japan, Chairman of IJAA, and Prof. Sivapriya Kirubakaran of IIT Gandhinagar are leading the organising effort.
JSPS and the role of research fellowships
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science is a key institution supporting scientific research and international academic exchange in Japan. Through research grants, fellowship programmes and international cooperation initiatives, JSPS facilitates opportunities for researchers from different countries to work with Japanese universities and research institutions.
For Indian researchers, JSPS-supported fellowships have provided opportunities to undertake advanced research in Japan, interact with Japanese scientists and establish professional relationships that can continue beyond the fellowship period.
The IJAA emerged from this academic network. By bringing former JSPS fellows together, it has helped maintain connections between Indian researchers and their Japanese host institutions, while encouraging new opportunities for collaborative research.
The association was established in 2006 with four regional chapters. It was also recognised by JSPS as its sixth officially established alumni association. Its activities have included India–Japan science and technology seminars, academic networking and research exchange initiatives.
The annual seminar series has become an important platform for sustaining these connections. The 2019 edition was held in New Delhi, while the 2023 seminar took place at Shivaji University, Kolhapur. In 2022, IJAA and the University of Hyderabad organised a Nobel Laureate seminar as part of the 70th anniversary of India–Japan diplomatic relations.
The 16th edition at IIT Gandhinagar continues this tradition of bringing together researchers and institutions from both countries. The contribution of the association's leadership has also received recognition in Japan.
Prof. D. Sakthi Kumar received the 2025 Foreign Minister's Commendation from the Government of Japan on 5 September 2025, acknowledging his contribution to strengthening India–Japan relations.
ICFAST 2026: Research, innovation and academic networking
The conference programme will feature keynote addresses, plenary sessions and invited lectures by scientists and academics from India and Japan.
Researchers and young scholars will have opportunities to present their work through poster presentations, encouraging interaction with senior scientists and fellow researchers. The format is intended to facilitate discussions across institutions and disciplines and identify possibilities for future academic and research partnerships.
Two distinguished scientists will deliver the keynote addresses:
Prof. Sumio Iijima, Meijo University, Japan
Prof. Sandeep Verma, IIT Kanpur, India
The invited speaker line-up includes researchers from leading Indian institutions as well as Hiroshima University in Japan.
Invited speaker | Institution |
Prof. Fumito Maruyama | IDEC Institute, Hiroshima University |
Prof. Yoshiro Azuma | BITS Goa |
Dr. Subbarayappa Adimurthy | CSIR-CSMCRI |
Dr. Ganesh Venkataraman | IIT Kharagpur |
Dr. Gopinath Purushothaman | IISER Tirupati |
Dr. Gugan Kothandan | University of Madras |
Dr. Nilanjana Majumdar | NCL Pune |
Dr. Srinivas Dharavath | IIT Kanpur |
Prof. Jayamurugan G | Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali |
Prof. Arnab Dutta | IIT Bombay |
Dr. Jayaramulu Kolleboyina | IIT Jammu |
The participation of scientists from IITs, CSIR laboratories, IISERs, universities and specialised research institutions reflects the breadth of India's research ecosystem and the scope for deeper engagement with Japanese academic institutions. Detailed session schedule will be available through the official conference website.
Inspiring Young Minds: Connecting students with scientists
Beyond formal research presentations, ICFAST 2026 will include a special interactive session titled Inspiring Young Minds, designed to engage school students with accomplished scientists.
The initiative seeks to bring scientific research closer to younger learners through direct interaction with researchers and academic experts. It aims to nurture curiosity, encourage scientific thinking and inspire students to consider future pathways in science, technology and innovation. The inclusion of school students alongside university researchers and senior academics adds an important educational dimension to the conference.
India and Japan have both placed considerable emphasis on developing skilled scientific talent, strengthening research capabilities and encouraging innovation. Early exposure to scientific research and interaction with established scientists can help build a stronger pipeline of future researchers.
Why India–Japan science cooperation matters
India–Japan relations have expanded across trade, investment, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology and strategic cooperation. Scientific research and education constitute another important dimension of this partnership, often building the institutional relationships that support longer-term cooperation.
Research collaboration is not limited to joint projects or academic publications. It also involves the exchange of expertise, access to advanced research facilities, researcher mobility, institutional partnerships and the development of professional networks across borders.
Japan's strengths in advanced manufacturing, materials science, electronics, robotics and applied research offer significant opportunities for Indian institutions. India's expanding higher education and research ecosystem, growing pool of scientific talent and innovation capabilities provide complementary opportunities for Japanese universities and research organisations.
Alumni networks such as IJAA help sustain these relationships beyond individual fellowship programmes. Researchers who have worked in Japanese laboratories can become bridges between institutions, facilitate introductions, identify areas of common research interest and encourage new academic partnerships.
For young researchers, participation in international conferences can also provide exposure to research methodologies, emerging scientific developments and potential collaborators.
ICFAST 2026 therefore represents more than an academic gathering. Its significance lies in connecting individual researchers, alumni networks and institutions through a continuing framework of India–Japan scientific engagement.
Looking towards 2027: A new milestone in bilateral relations
The seminar also comes at a significant point in India–Japan relations, with the two countries approaching the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027.
Over the decades, the bilateral partnership has developed through political engagement, economic cooperation, people-to-people connections and institutional collaboration. Science and education have contributed to this relationship by creating sustained links between universities, laboratories and research communities.
The 20th anniversary of IJAA provides an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of academic exchange to this broader partnership. It also offers an occasion to consider how existing networks can support the next generation of India–Japan research cooperation.
As both countries seek to strengthen their capabilities in emerging technologies and innovation, greater collaboration between researchers and academic institutions will remain important.
The Gandhinagar seminar offers a platform to renew these connections and encourage the next phase of scientific engagement between India and Japan.
Registration and participation
Researchers, academics, scientists and young scholars interested in participating in the 16th India–Japan Science, Technology and Education Seminar can register through the official conference website.
Event details
Conference: International Conference on Frontier Areas of Science & Technology (ICFAST 2026)
Seminar: 16th India–Japan Science, Technology and Education Seminar
Occasion: 20th anniversary of the Indian JSPS Alumni Association
Venue: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Dates: 30 November–1 December 2026
Registration deadline: 13 November 2026
Registration and information: https://icfast2026gn.com/
Organisers' contact: icfast2026@iitgn.ac.in
Researchers planning to attend are encouraged to complete registration before the deadline and consult the official website for the latest programme and participation guidelines.
As the Indian JSPS Alumni Association marks two decades of academic engagement, ICFAST 2026 provides an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of India–Japan research networks and strengthen the scientific partnerships that will shape the next phase of bilateral cooperation.
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