To increase the number of international graduate students, the Division of Graduate Studies is delighted to announce the launch of the Kyoto University Short-Term Academic Research (KU-STAR) Program for India 2025. This marks the second time Kyoto University has welcomed students from India for this highly anticipated program. Out of a total of 519 applicants, 31 exceptional students were selected to participate in this intensive, 59-day program, running from May 20th to July 17th, 2025. They are from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras (5 students), IIT Delhi (5 students), IIT Bombay (4 students), IIT Hyderabad (3 students), IIT Roorkee (3 students), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) (2 students), IIT Kanpur (2 students), University of Delhi (2 students), MIT School of Distance Education (2 students), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata (1 student), IIT Gandhinagar (1 student), and IIT Kharagpur (1 student).  During their stay, participants will hone their research skills in their chosen laboratories, attend Japanese language classes, and visit Japanese companies.

The KU-STAR Program offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate and master’s students from Indian universities and institutes who aspire to pursue graduate studies at Kyoto University. Under the guidance of world-renowned faculty across Kyoto University’s diverse graduate schools, each student is currently delving deep into their chosen laboratory, gaining invaluable hands-on experience that will undoubtedly shape their academic and professional futures.

A Warm Welcome: The Orientation

The program officially began on May 20th with a comprehensive orientation and welcome reception. This crucial event served as the essential first step for the students to acclimate to their new surroundings. Beyond the practicalities of campus navigation and program logistics, the orientation was a chance for the KU-STAR students to connect with their fellow Indian scholars, hear inspiring welcome remarks from esteemed Kyoto University professors, including Takao Hirajima, Director of the Division of Graduate Studies, Fuyuki Ishikawa, Executive Vice-President, and Akira Murakami, Dean of the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability. They also received their first warm embrace of Japanese hospitality.

The diverse group of students, hailing from various institutions, were initially unfamiliar with each other due to their differing universities, majors, and academic years. However, during the welcome lunch and campus tour that followed, they quickly bonded with fellow JST Indian researchers at Kyoto University and with Kyoto University student office assistants. After the campus tour, the KU-STAR students eagerly visited their respective laboratories, officially commencing their research journey at Kyoto University.

Bridging Cultures: Japanese Classes & A Kyodaisei Tour

Understanding a new culture often begins with its language, and the KU-STAR program fully embraces this vital connection. Integral to the program are dedicated Japanese language classes, held on May 21st and 22nd. Despite the limited class time, Ms. Kashiwagi, their Japanese teacher, is expertly guiding the KU-STAR students through “survival” Japanese. She warmly encourages them with her reassuring mantra: “Nihongo wa kantan desu. (Japanese is easy!)”.

Adding a unique and enriching dimension to these language lessons, five Kyoto University students also gave a “Kyodaisei tour (A tour by a Kyoto University Student)” in Japanese words. Through individual slides, they introduced the KU-STAR students to key sights within the Kyoto University Yoshida Campus and the vibrant areas surrounding the university. This immersive experience allowed the KU-STAR participants to practice their newly acquired language skills in a real-world setting, while also gaining a deeper understanding of daily life and culture in Kyoto directly from their peers.

Diving Deep: Research at Each Lab

The core of the KU-STAR program lies in the intensive research conducted within each laboratory. From May 20th until July 17th, students are fully immersed in their respective research environments, actively contributing to ongoing projects. This hands-on experience is paramount, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a profound understanding of their chosen scientific disciplines. Their dedication will culminate in a poster presentation at the International Science Innovation Center on July 16th, where they will share their achievements. Kyoto University eagerly anticipates showcasing their impressive work and the impact they will undoubtedly make in the future.

We look forward to sharing more updates on the students’ progress in the coming weeks!