New Delhi: On August 16, 2025, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, flagged off a group of 34 Indian school students and 3 supervisors for the prestigious Sakura Science Programme in Japan. This international educational exchange not only marks a milestone in holistic learning as outlined by India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, but also strengthens scientific and cultural bonds between India and Japan.
The Sakura Science Programme: Fostering Global Scientific Exploration
Sponsored by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Sakura Science Programme is a Japan-Asia Youth Exchange initiative that enables talented high-school students from various countries to experience Japan’s advancements in science, technology, culture, and society. India was included in the Programme in 2016, and since then, 639 students and 93 supervisors from India have participated.
For Sakura Science Programme 2025, India’s delegation includes 13 boys and 21 girls from government schools across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Odisha, Puducherry, West Bengal, as well as Demonstration Multipurpose Schools of RIEs-NCERT from Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Mysore. They will be joined by students from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia for a weeklong visit from August 17th to August 23rd, 2025.
Flag-Off Ceremony and Encouragement
The flag-off ceremony at NCERT, New Delhi was graced by:
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Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy
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Prof. Prakash Chandra Agrawal, Joint Director, NCERT
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Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary, DoSEL
Shri Sanjay Kumar delivered an inspiring address, underscoring this as a “golden opportunity” for immersive exposure to cutting-edge technology and a chance to experience the culture and discipline of Japan first-hand. He advised students to:
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Be proud of their Indian identity and greet with ‘Namaste’, a globally recognized gesture.
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Observe and adopt the Japanese traits of punctuality, discipline, and cleanliness.
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Take pride in India’s rich culture while learning from Japanese practices.
He urged the students to act as ambassadors of India, forge friendships, and acquire knowledge that can shape them into future innovators—thus contributing to India’s ongoing progress.
NEP 2020: Holistic and Experiential Learning
The NEP 2020 advocates for integrated, engaging, and experiential learning across all disciplines. The Sakura Science Programme perfectly aligns with this vision by:
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Providing real-world exposure beyond textbooks
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Encouraging interdisciplinary explorations
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Fostering cross-cultural understanding and global awareness
Conclusion
The participation of Indian students in Sakura Science Programme 2025 is a testament to India’s commitment to nurturing future-ready youth and strengthening international partnerships. This initiative not only fosters scientific curiosity but also celebrates India’s vibrant culture on a global platform, empowering a new generation to lead, innovate, and collaborate.
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Source: PIB
