NBU secures five Japan-linked research projects worth Rs 4.22 crore (Img: X)
Kolkata: North Bengal University (NBU) has secured five research projects under the India-Japan LOTUS programme, with a combined value of around 7 crore Japanese yen (approximately Rs 4.22 crore). The achievement marks a significant step forward in the university’s international research collaborations.
However, the development comes at a time when the university is grappling with prolonged administrative uncertainty and financial constraints, raising concerns about its ability to expand research and academic partnerships.
Four of the projects involve Bhaskar Biswas from NBU’s Department of Chemistry, who has joined hands with principal investigators at Osaka University. The fifth project has been secured by Sudhir Kumar Das, also from the chemistry department, in collaboration with Osaka Metropolitan University.
The LOTUS programme, administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), aims to promote scientific cooperation between India and Japan.
“The projects will allow five NBU researchers to work with Japanese scientists. Each researcher will receive a monthly allowance of Yen240,000 (Rs 1.44 lakh) during their research visit,” said a source. “The tenure is of 36 months,” he added.
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Samar Kumar Biswas, NBU’s acting registrar, said the achievement would strengthen the university’s reputation and expressed hope that it would lead to more international partnerships.
“This collaboration with a Japanese institution will add a new feather to the university’s cap. It is certainly a great achievement and will enhance our reputation,” he said.
Despite the recognition, the university continues to face administrative challenges. NBU has been functioning without a permanent vice-chancellor since October 2023, a situation the acting registrar described as a major concern.
“If we had a VC, perhaps more such collaborations could have taken place. We are getting stuck at every step. Seminars have been put on hold because of a lack of funds. We hope to get a VC as soon as possible,” Biswas said.
The prolonged vacancy and shortage of funds have raised questions about the institution’s ability to pursue further academic initiatives and strengthen its research environment.
Bhaskar Biswas said the projects would deepen research ties with Japanese institutions while giving young researchers an opportunity to gain exposure to international scientific practices.
“The collaboration will allow researchers to exchange knowledge, work alongside Japanese scientists and access research facilities abroad,” he said.
The researchers selected under the programme include Sangharaj Diyali and Krishnendu Pramanik, along with doctoral researchers Meena Chettri and Avantika Bhattacharjee, who work under Bhaskar Biswas.
Najmin, a doctoral researcher working under Sudhir Kumar Das, will also participate in the programme.
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The university hopes the collaborations will lead to further joint research initiatives and create more opportunities for students and researchers to work with international institutions.
“We hope the international partnerships will pave the way for further joint projects and expand opportunities for students and researchers,” a source said.
