DIMAPUR: Nagaland University has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Kumugai Farm Co., Ltd., Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture, and Hagumi Farm Co., Ltd., Aki City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan, to offer one year internship programmes providing students practical exposure to advanced Japanese farming practices and international work experience.
The MoUs were signed and exchanged during the Nagaland–Japan Connect Memorandum of Understanding Signing and Exchange Ceremony held at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Medziphema Campus, on July 22. The programme was chaired by Prof. J. Longkumer, Nodal Officer, Internship Programme Japan–Nagaland University.
Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Pauline Alila, Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, said the MoUs marked the beginning of a long term partnership built on shared vision, mutual trust and commitment to advancing agricultural education through international collaboration. She expressed confidence that the partnership would create opportunities for technology transfer, skill development and cultural understanding.
Remarks were also delivered by representatives from Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Dr. Limanungla Longkumer, Takeo Kumagai ,representative director of Kumugai Farm, and Yamamoto Seiya, representative director of Hagumi Farm.
Speakers emphasized the importance of India–Japan collaboration in agriculture, knowledge sharing and skill development through structured internship programmes. Kumagai described the MoU as the beginning of a long term partnership extending beyond internships into research collaboration, technology transfer and industry cooperation. Yamamoto highlighted Japan’s strengths in precision, sustainability and innovation, stressing that the partnership was about learning together to promote sustainable farming and create opportunities for youth.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Dipak Sinha, Pro Vice Chancellor, Medziphema Campus, termed the partnership a significant step towards strengthening international collaboration and enhancing students’ practical learning opportunities.
He expressed hope that the collaboration would expand into joint research initiatives and suggested exploring online programmes to expose students to advanced agricultural technologies.
Under the MoUs, students from the Department of Vocational Studies and Skill Development, SAS, will be placed on 12 month internship programmes in Japan, forming part of the University’s practical training curriculum with academic credits awarded in accordance with regulations of Nagaland University and the respective Japanese institutions.
