Chennai:
A 'Centre for Japanese Studies', which offers certificate and
diploma courses on various facets of Japan, was launched at the SRM
University, which was adjudged as the Number one private varsity in
India.
The Centre was set up jointly by the SRM University and the
Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
It was mere co-incidence that the day marked the 64th anniversary of
the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States during World
War two.
A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed at the
University campus at suburban Kattankualthur and it was exchanged by
Consul-General of Japan in Chennai, Kazua Minagawa and SRM
University Registrar N Sethuraman in the presence of University
Vice-Chancellor Prof P Sathyanarayanan and Chamber founder and
President Prof Krishnaswami.
Talking to reporters after the launch function, Prof Sathyanarayanan
said the Centre would offer Certificate and Diploma courses in
Japanese languages, linguistics, culture, business and other aspects
of Japan.
He also said SRM University was the second institute in India to
have such a Centre for Japanese Studies after the prestigious
Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
He added the courses would commence from the present academic year
beginning from September and the Centre would offer UG and PG
courses on Japanese studies in future.
Prof Sathyanarayanan informed that the University was also willing
to set up its campus in Japan if that government allowed private
players in the sector.
Earlier, inaugurating the Centre, Mr Kazua Minagawa called for
strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries by proper
understanding of the economy, politics and culture of the two
nations, which were ''Natural partners and eternal friends''.
He said Japanese investments in India had surpassed China and were
still growing. About 40 per cent of investments were in the
manufacturing sector and several financial institutions in Japan
were funding various projects in India.
There had been an increase in the number of Japanese companies in
India from 65 in 2007 to 155 at present. The number of Japanese
nationals in India had also doubled from 200 to 450, he said and
attributed this to the establishment of a manufacturing facility
being set up at Oragadam by auto major Nissan, which would be
commissioned by May next year.
|