As part of the International Linkage Degree Program (ILDP)*, Hiroshima University (HU) held a training session for students jointly with Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS Pilani) and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) from December 15th to 23rd, 2021.

The 15 students from the three university took 13 lectures from the three universities working on innovative technology developments. By utilizing virtual reality technology, students could also enjoy a virtual tour to an HU lab. Further, the students discussed SDGs-related issues in India and Japan, their similarities/differences, and how they can propose a new contribution to achieve the SDGs utilizing science and technologies they learned through the program. HU doctoral students from the “Taoyaka Program for creating a flexible, enduring, and peaceful society”, facilitated the group discussion. On the final day of the training, students made group presentations and they voted for the best presentation.

In their feedback, students expressed that this training was insightful to learn about social problems in different countries by interacting with other students, and it helped them to enhance their communication skills. The lectures by the professors in different research fields increased the students' enthusiasm to study more about the introduced technologies.

This program was supported by Sakura Science Plan, Japan Science and Technology Agency.

* International Linkage Degree Program for Developing Innovators Transforming Advanced Technology to Social Goals selected for Inter-University Exchange Project by MEXT, Japan.