New Delhi, Aug 16: India has sent 34 students and 3 supervisors to Japan for the prestigious Sakura Science Programme 2025, organized by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, officials said on Saturday.

Flagged off by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL) of Ministry of Education in New Delhi, the delegation will explore Japan’s advanced science, technology, and culture, promoting experiential learning and international collaboration.

The initiative, hosted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), aims to foster scientific curiosity and cultural exchange among youth from Asia and Africa. The Indian delegation includes 13 boys and 21 girls from government schools across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Puducherry, West Bengal, and Demonstration Multipurpose Schools of RIEs-NCERT at Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Mysore.

The students will participate in the programme from August 17 to 23, joining peers from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. They will explore Japan’s cutting-edge science and technology, experience its rich cultural heritage, and engage in collaborative learning.

Addressing the students, Sanjay Kumar emphasized the importance of experiential learning as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He encouraged students to embrace Japan’s discipline, punctuality, and innovation, while proudly representing India’s culture and values. “You are young ambassadors of India—observe, learn, and bring back ideas that can shape our future,” he said.

He also highlighted the significance of greeting with “Namaste,” a gesture now globally recognized, and urged students to appreciate Japan’s environmental consciousness and cultural pride.

The Sakura Science Programme has hosted over 639 Indian students and 93 supervisors since India joined in 2016. This year’s delegation continues the tradition of strengthening India–Japan academic ties and inspiring future innovators.

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