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SAFJUAA International Symposium 2026

South Asia & Japan: Co-travelers on Education Paths

5-6 November, 2026 | Kathmandu, Nepal

Organized By:

Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN)

In Association With:

South Asian Federation of Japanese Alumni Association (SAFJUAA)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

1. Background

There is a long history of the South Asian countries interacting with Japan’s education system. Establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Asian countries gave a major push to the historically constituted multi-dimensional educational and learning contacts by establishing multiple well-structured conduits. Accordingly, a large number of students from South Asia studied in Japan, returned back, and formed an alumni network – South Asian Federation of Japanese Alumni Association (SAFJUAA) – with the aim of fostering fellowships and exchanging knowledge and learning. Coinciding with 70 years of diplomatic ties between Nepal and Japan, the Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN), in association with the SAFJUAA, is hosting SAFJUAA International Symposium 2026 on “South Asia & Japan: Co-travelers of Education Paths” during 5-6 November 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The symposium aims to bring together researchers, alumni, educators, prospective students, policymakers, and the Japanese studies communities.

2. Themes

The co-traveled educational journeys of Japan and South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka encompasses a large canvass- civilizational exchanges and intellectual engagements around Buddhism, transformative educational reforms of modernizing Japan, aspirations arising out of post-colonial nationhood of South Asia and Japan’s rise as an industrialized Asian power on to post war institutionalization of educational journeys.

Papers presented at the conference are expected to illustrate how knowledge circulation has sustained relations despite changing national contexts functioning as a relatively apolitical yet durable channel creating changing knowledge networks that constitute a foundational but often underexamined pillar of Japan–South Asia economic, political and strategic relations. Following are the sub-themes;

• Historical Japan-South Asia education exchange (7^th – 21^st Century)
• Buddhist intellectual traditions and civilizational exchange
• Institutionalized education cooperation
• Language, examinations, and scholarship system
• Culture, heritage, arts, trade, and communities
• Alumni networks as drivers of sustainable development

3. Abstract Submission

Please prepare an abstract in word file aligning with one of the sub-themes. It should be a self-contained and citation-free statement within 300 words, with Aptos (11-point size) font, and single line spacing. It should have title of the abstract, authors, their affiliation, corresponding email address, 3-5 keywords, and the theme under which the abstract is submitted. It should be submitted through an email to safjuaais2026@gmail.com. Template for full paper will be shared with authors of selected abstracts in due course.

4. Key Dates

5. Conference Mode

The conference will be primarily organized in physical mode; however, hybrid mode (virtual presentation too) might also be considered depending upon the situation.

6. Availability of Travel Support

Two-way air fare and 3 nights hotel accommodation will be provided to selected paper presenters depending on availability of funds.

7. Post-Symposium Publication

All full papers will go through a peer-review process and successful ones will be considered to publish as an Edited Book (with an ISBN) in print and electronic formats.

8. Organizing Committee

• Convenor: Prof. Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey, Vice President, JUAAN, Nepal
• Co-Convenor: Dr. Anil Aryal, Executive Member, JUAAN, Nepal
• Member: Dawa Penjor, President, JAAB, Bhutan
• Member: Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne, President, JaGAAS, Sri Lanka
• Member: Prof. Dr. A.T.M. Zafrul Azam, President, JUAAB, Bangladesh
• Member: Dr. Nasir M. Khan, President, MAAP. Pakistan
• Member: Dr. Ashok Jain, President, MOSAI, India