What Did Japan's Education Minister Reveal at JGU’s Sustainable Development Report 2025 in Tokyo?

Tokyo, June 24 (NationPress) In a pivotal moment for global academic collaboration, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) presented its Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 in Tokyo during the recently held 2nd India-Japan Higher Education Forum.

The forum convened with the pertinent theme, “Universities of the Future: Promoting Democracy, Dialogue, and Development in Asia and Beyond.”

This esteemed event was honored by the presence of Her Excellency Toshiko Abe, the Hon’ble Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Government of Japan, who formally introduced the SDR 2025.

A senior figure in the Liberal Democratic Party and a distinguished member of Japan’s House of Representatives since 2005, H.E. Abe highlighted the significance of cross-border education in tackling global issues.

She stated, “India and Japan share a profound bond that goes beyond borders, grounded in mutual democratic values, cultural respect, and aspirations for peace and prosperity. In this era of intricate global challenges, our universities are vital. By nurturing a new generation of globally conscious students -- those who think creatively, act ethically, and lead sustainably -- we build a foundation for a brighter future. Japan invites Indian students to experience its dynamic academic landscape, rich in heritage and innovation. Together, via collaborative research, student exchanges, and institutional partnerships, India and Japan can cultivate knowledge ecosystems that benefit not just Asia, but also contribute to global solutions. Education serves as the bridge to our shared future -- and this Forum embodies that spirit.”

The Forum gathered esteemed academic leaders, scholars, and policymakers from top institutions in both nations, reaffirming the crucial role of India-Japan academic collaborations in fostering inclusive, forward-thinking higher education.

Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, reflected on the deeper implications of the event, saying, “The launch of JGU’s Sustainable Development Report 2025 in Tokyo signifies a historic milestone in the evolving partnership between India and Japan in higher education. This collaboration transcends mere academic exchange -- it celebrates shared democratic principles, intellectual excellence, and a mutual commitment to sustainability. At JGU, we advocate that universities must transcend traditional borders and actively contribute to solving global challenges. Our SDR 2025 illustrates how institutions can integrate education, research, policy, and community involvement with the Sustainable Development Goals. As we redefine the role of universities in the 21st century, this Forum highlights how international academic diplomacy can foster resilient, inclusive, and just societies. The report’s release in Tokyo signifies our belief that education encompasses not just knowledge, but also purpose, responsibility, and global citizenship.”

The Sustainable Development Report 2025 outlines JGU’s extensive institutional commitment to sustainability through research, education, operations, and community engagement -- fully aligned with the United Nations’ 17 SDGs.

The report emphasizes JGU’s strategic initiatives, quantifiable outcomes, and global collaborations in advancing sustainability in higher education. The university’s rising international acclaim is reflected in its impressive leap in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, where JGU surged from the 801-1000 band in 2024 to the 401-600 band globally, out of over 2,500 institutions.

Remarkably, JGU attained a global rank of 88 for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Professor Padmanabha Ramanujam, Dean of the Office of Academic Governance at JGU and the lead author of the report, underscored the ongoing institutional transformation: “This Report is the result of years of collaborative effort across our university’s academic and administrative spheres to embed sustainability at the heart of JGU’s mission. Our journey has been steered by a clear vision -- to establish an institution that not only teaches the SDGs but embodies them in its daily operations, curriculum, research, and student engagement. Our significant ascent in the global Impact Rankings reflects our unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of measurable progress. More importantly, it signifies a cultural transformation within our university -- one that is evidence-based, interdisciplinary, inclusive, and future-oriented. The SDR 2025 represents not only our current position but also our aspirations for the future: to be a model institution for how higher education can drive systemic change for a sustainable planet. This is our call to universities worldwide to collaborate in crafting a just, equitable, and green future for all.”

Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Member of Parliament and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, served as the Guest of Honour and delivered a poignant address during the event. He remarked, “In the intricate landscape of our contemporary world, universities must transcend being passive knowledge repositories. They need to evolve into bastions of democracy, incubators for ideas, and engines for equitable development. As India and Japan -- two of Asia’s dynamic and enduring democracies -- enhance their academic collaboration, we possess a unique opportunity to establish a new paradigm of international education grounded in values, integrity, and purpose. This Forum has highlighted the transformative potential of educational diplomacy. It has also reinforced the necessity to reimagine our academic institutions as catalysts for justice, sustainability, and human dignity. I applaud JGU for leading with conviction and clarity in this domain. The launch of its Sustainable Development Report 2025 here in Tokyo is a significant act of global academic solidarity. It serves as a reminder that future universities must not only teach students how to think but also inspire them to act for the collective good.”

JGU’s Sustainable Development Report 2025 embodies an ambitious vision for academia’s role in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. Unveiled in the heart of Tokyo, this momentous occasion underscores the significance of India-Japan educational diplomacy in shaping the universities -- and the future -- of tomorrow.