Thirty-four students from government schools across India have been selected to take part in the prestigious Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science—better known as the Sakura Science Programme. The initiative, run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), gives young learners a chance to witness Japan’s advanced scientific innovations while also experiencing its culture firsthand.
The 2025 edition will be held from August 17 to 23, with participation from India alongside students from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. Representing India are 13 boys and 21 girls, chosen from government schools in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Puducherry, West Bengal, and the Regional Institute of Education (RIE) demonstration schools in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Mysuru. Three supervisors will accompany the group.
India joined the Sakura Programme in 2016, and since then, over 630 students and 90 supervisors have travelled to Japan under this exchange. The programme, launched globally in 2014, aims to expand scientific curiosity amongst youth and encourage international collaboration.
The selected students were formally flagged off at a ceremony hosted at NCERT, New Delhi, by the Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL). The event was attended by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of DoSEL, Professor Prakash Chandra Agrawal, Joint Director of NCERT, and Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary of DoSEL.
Speaking at the occasion, Sanjay Kumar described the initiative as a “golden opportunity” for young participants. He encouraged students and teachers to fully embrace the experience, highlighting how exposure to Japan’s highly advanced systems could inspire future innovators and contribute to stronger India-Japan ties.
(With PIB inputs)
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