The Kyoto University Division of Graduate Studies has been running the KU-STAR (Kyoto University Short-Term Academic Research) Program since last year. This year marked the second time we’ve welcomed students from India, with 31 participants dedicating approximately two months to research in their respective labs.

On July 16, 2025, a final presentation session was held at the HORIBA Symposium Hall and Foyer within the International Science Innovation Building, where students showcased the results of their research and learning from the KU-STAR Program. The event saw a strong turnout of around 86 attendees, including their supervisors and lab mates, faculty and students of Kyoto University who were interested in the research by students from India. Distinguished guests included Shri Anil Dutt Raturi, Consul (Commercial) & HOC. from the Consulate General of India in Osaka-Kobe, Mr. Shitoru Roy, President of the Nippon-Indo Cultural and Economic Center (NICE), and representatives from companies like Shimadzu Corporation and Fujitsu Limited., who had previously supported the program through company visits and information sessions, along with other organizations and businesses with an interest in India.

The first half of the presentation session featured poster presentations of research findings. Out of the 31 program participants, 27 students (excluding 4 who concluded the program early) confidently presented their research undertaken during the program. For many, it was their first time giving a poster presentation, and they actively engaged with questions from the audience. Some students even commented, “The time was too short. We wanted to explain more.”

The latter half consisted of group presentations, where students shared their achievements against initially set goals and their overall learning experiences from the KU-STAR Program. Their presentations, rich with photos and short videos, covered a wide range of topics: the dedicated and patient guidance from their supervising professors and lab members, cultural experiences in Kyoto and Japan outside of research, the friendships and mutual support forged among KU-STAR students, and even culinary challenges and cultural exchange they undertook. Each group was allotted 10 minutes, but all went over time due to the impressive volume of content they shared.

Following the group presentations, a Certificate Award Ceremony was held., Dr. Takao Hirajima, Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies, along with Dr. Fuyuki Ishikawa, the University’s vice-president for academic research support, Ms. Yuki Matsumoto, Manager of the Government and Academic Collaboration Unit at Shimadzu Corporation, and Shri Anil Dutt Raturi offered their remarks. Subsequently, Dr. Akira Murakami, Dean of the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability and Head of the KU-STAR Program for India, awarded certificates of completion to the students.

The ensuing social gathering provided a relaxed atmosphere where the KU-STAR students, having successfully completed their presentations, mingled with their lab professors and lab mates, Kyoto University student tutors who supported them, guests, and even Mr. Dhruv Garg (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay), a first-generation KU-STAR Program for India 2024 alumnus who came back to Kyoto for a two-month internship at Shimadzu Corporation since June 2025. All shared in the joy of the program’s successful conclusion.

Despite the short duration, we deeply feel that the participating students grew significantly through their research in their respective labs. We strongly hope they will return to Kyoto University in the future as Master’s program or doctoral students or researchers.

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