On August 29, the group visited IITH in Hyderabad to meet with IITH President B. S. Murty and sign the partnership agreement. IITH is one of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), which are highly regarded for their science and engineering education. The College of Life Sciences—particularly Professor Tsutsumi’s laboratory, which served as the liaison for concluding this agreement—and other science colleges and researchers at Ritsumeikan have already been engaged in collaboration across a variety of fields.

This agreement confirms the promotion of international cooperation in education, research, and innovation in the life sciences, with the aim of strengthening the science and technology partnership between India and Japan and cultivating the next generation of industry leaders for both countries.
Specifically, under the heading of “Promoting International Academic and Research Collaboration,” the two institutions will further advance joint research by faculty and students in the life sciences and consider the development of an education and research model in which part of students’ master’s or doctoral research are conducted collaboratively. With regard to the “Development of Joint Academic Programs,” both institutions aim to develop bilateral educational exchange programs with an eye on eventually establishing a double degree program (DDP). By way of these initiatives, the two universities will also support the development of entrepreneurial skills and promote bilateral partnership projects and cooperation with companies in both countries.

At the joint symposium held after the signing of the agreement, President Murty said, "It is very significant to have the future leaders of India and Japan here, and among our cooperative relationships with Japanese universities, Ritsumeikan University holds a special place. I hope we can further our cooperative ties and play a role in deepening the relationship between India and Japan well into the future," he said, expressing his expectations for further collaboration with Ritsumeikan University and its College and Graduate School of Life Sciences.
Next, President Nakatani expressed his intention to further develop the partnership between the two universities in the field of life science by saying, “I am confident that the friendship between IITH and Ritsumeikan University will contribute to the future of Japan and the world. Life science is an important academic field for resolving the social issues facing the world and for the pursuit of industrial advancement, and we will endeavor to realize world-class education and research by further strengthening cooperation between the two universities.”
These greetings were followed by research presentations by faculty members from the RU College of Life Sciences and IITH, who presented their research in materials chemistry, bioinformatics, electrochemistry, applied physical chemistry, medical bioengineering, and other related fields. The next day, on August 30, the joint symposium concluded with presentations and poster sessions given by students from both universities.

The signing ceremony and joint symposium were attended by President Nakatani, College of Life Sciences Dean Wakayama, Associate Dean Mukai, Associate Dean Togashi, Professor Tsutsumi, Professor Orikasa, Professor Yamashita (Associate Dean of International Affairs), and other representatives from the College of Life Sciences, the Division of International Affairs, and the Ritsumeikan India Office. The delegation from IITH included President B. S. Murty, Professor Ganesan Prabusankar, Dean of International Relations Professor Tarun Kanti Panda, and others.

Ritsumeikan University's College and Graduate School of Life Sciences will use the signing of this agreement as a springboard for expanding upon its existing track record of collaboration with IITH, including the possible establishment of a DDP, and deepening global cooperation in the life sciences, thereby allowing Ritsumeikan University to develop its educational and research programs as a next-generation research university.