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

Kathmandu, Nepal — On November 23, 2024, the Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN), organized a compelling seminar titled “Addressing Climate Change and Natural Disasters: Lessons from Japan and Nepal“ at Hotel Royal Singi. This initiative brought together experts to address the urgent issue of climate-induced disasters and explore cross-national strategies for resilience.

Keynote and Highlights

The seminar opened with remarks by JUAAN President Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha and Chief Guest H.E. Yutaka Kikuta, the Ambassador of Japan to Nepal. A keynote presentation by Dr. Vishnu Pandey, former General Secretary of JUAAN, set the stage with an in-depth analysis of the increasing frequency and severity of water-induced disasters in Nepal and Japan.

Dr. Pandey highlighted significant events, including the 2024 Thame flood and record-breaking rainfall in Nepal, alongside Japan’s advanced disaster response strategies like its “River Basin Disaster Resilience” model. He emphasized the necessity for collaborative learning and action to mitigate climate risks.

Panel Discussion

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Taranidhi Bhattarai, the seminar featured an interactive panel discussion with experts:

• Dr. Indira Kandel: Discussed data-driven insights into escalating climate risks.
• Dr. Prem Paudel: Focused on policy and financing mechanisms addressing climate change.
• Dr. Bal Bahadur Parajuli: Explored preparedness and response bottlenecks.
• Dr. Dinesh Devkota: Addressed institutional challenges in disaster management.

The dialogue underscored the importance of policy coherence, institutional capacity, and international cooperation in adapting to climate challenges.

Impact and Conclusion

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by JUAAN Vice President Dr. Hom Nath Chalise, followed by a networking session. Over 35 participants, including policymakers, academics, and practitioners, exchanged ideas on building sustainable and resilient systems to confront the challenges posed by climate change.

This initiative reaffirms JUAAN’s commitment to fostering knowledge-sharing platforms that inspire actionable solutions for a safer, more sustainable future.

जुआनले यो वर्षभरी विभिन्न कार्यक्रम आयोजना गरि जुआन स्थापनाको स्वर्ण महोत्सव मनाएको थियो । सन् १९७३ मा सो संस्था स्थापना गरिएको थियो । स्वर्ण महोत्सव कार्यक्रम समापनका अवसरमा जुआनले शनिबार ललितपुरमा एक कार्यक्रमको आयोजना गर्यो । सो कार्यक्रममा सञ्चार तथा सूचना प्रविधि मन्त्री रेखा शर्माले सन् १९०२ अर्थात १ सय २२ वर्ष अघिदेखि नेपाली विद्यार्थीहरु जापानमा उच्च शिक्षा हासिल गर्न जान थालेकोमा पछिल्लो समयमा नेपाली विद्यार्थी अध्ययनका लागि जापान जाने क्रम झनै बढ्नु खुसीको कुरा भएको बताइन् ।

गत वर्ष विभिन्न विषयमा उच्च शिक्षा अध्ययनको लागि १६ हजार नेपाली विद्यार्थी जापान गएको पनि उनले बताईन । जापान नेपालको असल मित्र मात्र नभई प्रमुख दातृराष्ट्र भएको पनि मन्त्री शर्माले उल्लेख गरीन् ।

कार्यक्रममा नेपालका लागि जापानी राजदूत किकुता युताकाले नेपाल र जापानबीचको कुटनैतिक सम्वन्ध सन् १९५६ मा स्थापना भएतापनि नेपाली विद्यार्थी जापानमा पढ्न जान थालेको भने १ सय २२ वर्ष पुरा भएकोमा खुसी व्यक्त गरे ।

सन् १९५८ देखि जापान सरकारले नेपाली विद्यार्थीलाई उच्च शिक्षाको लागि छात्रवृत्ति दिएर जापानमा पढ्न लैजान थालेको पनि राजदूत किकुताले स्मंरण गराए ।

जापानले नेपाललाई गर्दै आएको आर्थिक तथा प्राविधिक सहयोग केवल सहयोग मात्र नभई यो नेपालको उज्ज्वल भविष्यको लागि जापानी लगानी भएको पनि राजदूत किकुताले प्रष्ट पारे ।

कार्यक्रममा जुआन स्थापनाको ५० वर्षसम्म भए गरेका मुख्य गतिविधि समेटिएको स्मारिकाको मन्त्री शर्मा र जापानी राजदूत किकुताले संयुक्तरुपमा ल्यापटपबाट डिजिटल्ली विमोचन गरे ।

जुआनका अध्यक्ष डा.सुनिल बाबु श्रेष्ठले जुआन स्थापनाकालदेखि स्वर्ण महोत्सवसम्मको नालीबेली बताउँदै जुआनले नेपाली विद्यार्थीमार्फत नेपाल र जापानबीचको शैक्षिक र सांस्कृतिक सम्वन्ध प्रवद्र्धनमा जोड दिएको उल्लेख गरे । ‘जुआनले नेपाली विद्यार्थी र जापानबीच पुलको काम गर्दै आएको छ’—अध्यक्ष डा.श्रेष्ठले भने । अध्यक्ष डा. श्रेष्ठको सभापतित्वमा सम्पन्न कार्यक्रममा जुआनका उपाध्यक्ष डा. होमनाथ चालिसेले धन्यवाद ज्ञापन गरेका थिए ।

सन् १९०१ मा राणाकालीन सुधारवादी प्रधानमन्त्री श्री ३ देव शमसेरले आफ्नो छोटो कार्यकालमा ८ जना नेपाली विद्यार्थीलाई सरकारी खर्चमा विभिन्न विषयमा उच्च शिक्षा अध्ययनको लागि जापान पठाउने निर्णय गरेका थिए ।त्यसपछिका प्रधानमन्त्री श्री ३ चन्द्र शमसेरले ती विद्यार्थीलाई सन् १९०२ मार्च ८ मा भारत हुँदै जापान पठाएका थिए ।

यसरी पहिलोपटक जापानमा उच्च शिक्षा पढ्न जाने नेपाली विद्यार्थीहरुमा जंगनरसिंह राणा र भक्तबहादुर बस्न्यात हतियार इन्जिनियरिङ्ग, देव नरसिंह राणा र वालनरसिंह रायमाझि खनिज, दीप नरसिंह राणा कृषि, हेम बहादुर राजभण्डारी मेकानिकल इन्जिनिरिङ्ग, रुद्रलाल सिंह व्यवहारिक रसायनशास्त्र र विचारमान सिंह सेरामिक्स (माटोको भाँडा,पछि रेशम खेती) बारे थिए ।

साभार:newspolar

नियमहरू

१. लेख/रचनाको विषय जापानको सामाजिक र मानविकी शास्त्र (समाजशास्त्र, शिक्षा, अर्थशास्त्र, राजनीति शास्त्र, कला, संस्कृति, धर्म अथवा भाषा, आदि) अथवा विज्ञान तथा प्रविधिमा आधारित हुनुपर्नेछ ।
२. लेख/रचना तीन हजार शब्द भन्दा बढी नहुने गरी शुद्ध नेपाली भाषामा सन्दर्भ सामग्री स्पष्ट हुने गरी लेखिएको हुनुपर्नेछ। त्यसका साथै अंग्रेजीमा एक अनुच्छेदमा नबढाई (१५ शब्द भित्रमा) सारांश पनि पठाउनु पर्नेछ ।
३. उत्कृष्ट लेख/रचनाहरुको छनौट समितिले गर्ने छ र उत्कृष्ट लेख/रचनाहरु पुरस्कृत गरी प्रकाशित गरिनेछ । प्रकाशित लेख/रचनालाई पनि उचित पुरस्कार तथा सम्मान—पत्र प्रदान गरिनेछ ।
४. लेख/रचना फाल्गुन १३ गते (तद्नुसार १ मार्च २०२४) सम्म तलको इमेल ठेगानामा पठाउनु पर्ने छ । यससँगै आफ्नो छोटो व्यक्तिवृत्तान्त र फोटो संलग्न गर्नु पर्नेछ । लेख/रचना पूर्व प्रकाशित नभएको र मौलिक हुनुपर्छ र इन्टरनेटबाट उतार नगरिएको हुनुपर्नेछ ।
५. प्राप्त सामाग्रीहरुको कानुनी अधिकार जुआनमा रहनेछ ।

JAPANESE UNIVERSITIES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, NEPAL (JUAAN)
Email: info@juaan.org.np, Website: www.juaan.org.np

Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship orientation program, 2023 was held at the Embassy Hall, on 15th September 2023.

This year, 14 Nepali students received the MEXT scholarship under University Recommendation scheme. In spring, five MEXT scholarship students were sent to Japan under Embassy Recommendation scheme, which means, in FY2023, the Japanese government provided 19 Nepali students with opportunities for higher education.

Where Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha President of Japanese University Alumni Association of Nepal (JUAAN) gave a Welcome Speech as follows.

Ms. Mayuko Sato, Cultural Secretary, Embassy of Japan

Mr. Harendra Bikas Barua, Former President of JUAAN

New MEXT scholars

Senior Members of JUAAN

Ladies and gentlemen,

Namaskar/ Konichiwa and Good afternoon

It is my great pleasure that I stand before you today as the President of the Japanese University Alumni Association of Nepal (JUAAN) to extend a warm welcome to all the new students who have been selected to receive the prestigious MEXT scholarship for higher studies in Japan. This is an extraordinary achievement, and I would like to congratulate each and every one of you on this remarkable milestone.

First and foremost, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan for their continuous support in providing scholarships to Nepalese students. This unwavering commitment to fostering educational opportunities has made a significant impact on the lives of many individuals, including ourselves. We are immensely grateful for the generosity and vision of the Japanese government.

I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Embassy of Japan in Nepal for their invaluable support in organizing this orientation program. We appreciate this effort in creating a platform for aspiring scholars to embark on their educational journey in Japan.

Furthermore, it is an honor to have Ms. Mayuko Sato, the Cultural Secretary, with us today. Your gracious presence at this orientation program is truly inspiring, and we thank you for taking the time to address our new students. Your guidance and insights will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of light as they navigate their way through their studies in Japan.

As you embark on this incredible journey, I want to emphasize the importance of recognizing the historical linkages between Nepal and Japan. In 1902, eight fortunate students from Nepal embarked on a transformative journey to Japan, laying the foundation for a strong and enduring bond between two nations. Their pioneering spirit and commitment to knowledge have become a symbol of resilience and determination. Today, you are the torchbearers of this legacy, carrying forward the torch of cultural exchange, knowledge sharing, and friendship during the study period and after wards.

Studying in Japan is not only an opportunity for academic growth; it is a chance to immerse your selves in a rich and diverse culture. Japan, with its technological advancements, artistic heritage, and academic excellence, offers a unique platform for learning and personal development. Embrace the Japanese way of life, engage with the local community, and seize every opportunity to expand your horizons. Your experiences in Japan will not only shape you as individuals but will also contribute to the promotion of Nepal-Japan relations.

As members of the Japanese University Alumni Association of Nepal, we are here to support and guide you throughout your journey. The senior members present today, with their wealth of experience and wisdom, are here to provide valuable insights and suggestions about life in Japan. They have walked the path you are about to embark upon and can offer invaluable advice on navigating the challenges, seizing opportunities, and making the most of your time in Japan.

JUAAN eagerly anticipate your return as accomplished graduates. We welcome you with open arms to join our esteemed alumni network, where you can connect with fellow scholars, share your experiences, and contribute to the growth of our association. We are confident that your time in Japan will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and perspectives needed to contribute meaningfully to our society.

Finally, I would like to once again congratulate all the new scholarship recipients. Your dedication, hard work, and academic achievements have opened new doors of opportunity. Embrace this chance to learn, grow, and make lasting connections. The Japanese University Alumni Association of Nepal (JUAAN) stands ready to support you in your journey and celebrate your successes.

Thank you all for your presence here today, and I extend my best wishes to each and every one of you. May your time in Japan be filled with profound learning, personal growth, and cherished memories. We eagerly await your return as proud members of the Japanese University Alumni Association of Nepal.

Thank you.

Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha

President of JUAAN

15^th September, 2023

Japanese Universities Alumni Association, Nepal (JUAAN) expresses a deep sorrow and extends the message of condolence to the bereaved family and people of Japan on sad demise of Mrs Yoshiko Imanishi on 2 August 2023.

She was the spouse of late Mr Toshio Imanishi, former president of Sakai Lions Club and founder of JUAAN Sakai Lions Club and Imanishi Memorial Fellowship Trust, Kathmandu, Nepal.

She was keenly interested in Nepal and JUAAN activities even after demise of her husband, Mr Imanishi.

We, the members of JUAAN, pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul. May almighty give the power of patience and tolerance to her beloved ones and may all of her followers get through this disheartening moment.

Dr. Prabin Shrestha, MD, PhD

President, JUAAN

Condolence message of Ms Imanishi