Sep 22 2025

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Niigata University (NU), in partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), one of its foremost academic collaborators, hosted "The Inaugural Niigata University–Indian Institute of Science Joint Neuroscience Symposium" at NU’s Brain Research Institute. Distinguished researchers from Japan and India gathered to share their latest discoveries and foster scholarly exchange.

Selected in FY2024 for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) initiative, "Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities (J-PEAKS)," NU has been actively advancing its international research collaborations. The symposium marked a significant milestone in advancing joint neuroscience research with IISc, one of India’s most prestigious institutions.

The symposium brought together 13 representatives from NU, including President Tatsuo Ushiki and faculty members of the Brain Research Institute. Joining them from IISc were 12 participants, led by Director Govindan Rangarajan and researchers from the Center for Brain Research (CBR) and the Center for Neuroscience (CNS). The event drew not only presenters and local attendees to the venue but also a wide audience of researchers from both Japan and India who participated via online streaming.

The program featured three sessions: "The Molecular and Cellular Brain," "The Translational Bridge: Forum Genes to Patients" and "The Circuits in Motion." Each session showcased cutting-edge research across diverse fields of neuroscience. Lively discussions followed each presentation, reflecting the active exchange of ideas and techniques between Japanese and Indian researchers. In the latter part of the symposium, a roundtable brought together Professor Osamu Onodera, Director of NU’s Brain Research Institute; Professor K.V.S. Hari, Director of CBR; and Professor Supratim Ray of CNS. They emphasized the value of collaboration built on shared research interests and complementary strengths. Discussions also focused on establishing a small working committee to develop proposals for joint projects, including student exchanges and collaborative data analysis.

Presentation by a professor from BRI

Presentation by a researcher from IISc

Researchers engaging in Q&A

Group photo after the symposium. Front row (from left): Prof. P.S. Anil, Dean for Finance and Administration; center-left: President Rangarajan. Second row (from left, 2nd): Professor K.V.S. Hari, Director of CBR

On Monday, September 8, the day before the symposium, the IISc delegation visited facilities at Niigata University. At the Brain Research Institute, Director Onodera provided an overview of the organization, followed by questions from the delegation concerning research resources. The session also included an exchange of views in preparation for the following day’s symposium, leading to lively discussions across a wide range of topics.

The delegation then toured several units of Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, including the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, the Department of Diagnostic Pathology, the Department of Radiology, the Cancer Center, and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. As IISc is planning to establish a university hospital in the future, the meeting with Hospital Director Toshiaki Kikuchi provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on hospital facilities and the research environment for physicians, and to explore possibilities for future collaboration.

Subsequently, some members of the IISc delegation visited the laboratories of Professor Hitoshi Shimada and Professor Hideaki Matsui at Niigata University’s Brain Research Institute, where they received first-hand explanations of research utilizing PET diagnostics and studies employing fish as disease models. The visiting researchers showed keen interest, asking numerous questions and photographing the facilities. Meanwhile, IISc Director Govindan Rangarajan and members of the university’s executive team visited the Ikarashi Campus for a courtesy meeting with President Tatsuo Ushiki. During the discussions, the two presidents signed a Letter of Intent, confirming their commitment to establishing a joint laboratory under the J-PEAKS initiative, promoting collaboration in medicine and health sciences, enhancing student exchange, and strengthening joint research in the field of neuroscience.

Meeting with Prof. Onodera, Director of BRI (back right)

University hospital tour

Visit to Prof. Matsui’s laboratory

Visit to Prof. Shimada’s laboratory

Signing Ceremony of LoI: President Ushiki (left); Director Rangarajan (right)

Courtesy Visit: President Ushiki (center); Director Rangarajan (3rd from right)

The delegation also visited the Graduate School of Science and Technology, where Dean Norikazu Ohtori and Dean Eiichi Takazawa received them. NU’s Vice President for Research Satish Kumar joined discussions on joint supervision of graduate students and collaborative research opportunities.

Following the symposium, a dinner reception was held, at which NU’s Executive Vice President Toshiyuki Someya, in charge of Global Affairs, and IISc Executive Director P.S. Anil Kumar delivered welcoming remarks. Both expressed high expectations that the symposium will serve as a catalyst for further strengthening researcher exchanges between Japan and India.

Niigata University will continue to leverage its distinctive research strengths to expand international partnerships and advance the global development of its education and research programs.

Courtesy visit to the Graduate School of Science and Technology: Dean Ohtori (back right), Vice President Satish (center right), Dean Takazawa (front right)

Dinner Reception following the symposium

Contact:

Office of Global Affairs, Headquarters for Research and Innovation
(Office of International Partnerships, Department of International Affairs)
Tel: 025-262-6935