Manipur: Ukhrul to get a one-of-its-kind Japanese learning centre

Ukhrul: People of Ukhrul district in Manipur are likely to get a one-of-its-kind Japanese language learning centre soon. This will be the first such dedicated centre in the whole of Northeast, if the plan materialises, informed the organisers of a one-day workshop on ‘Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP)’. The event was an initiative of the Indian government and its Japanese counterpart.

The workshop was organised by HI-NO-DE Foundation in collaboration with Ura Trust, which works for the improvement of education in the state.

Masahiro Nagashima, director of Ichishin Holdings and a representative of a consortium of Japanese companies, were also present at the workshop.

The TITP aims to promote international collaboration through the transfer of skills, technology and knowledge among the participating countries contributing towards human resource development.

HI-NO-DE Foundation MD Neeraj Sharma said, “There are lots of jobs being generated and we wanted to give this opportunity to the people from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Also, PM [Narendra] Modi has been emphasising a lot on Northeast’s issues especially on the unemployment, which you find in big cities like Mumbai and Delhi. So, this is one of the reasons to come all the way to the Northeast region.”

The training not only aims to capitalise the potential of the youths but also skilling them in the Japanese language; and thereby to get job opportunities in Japan.

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Speaking with EastMojo, Mike, one of the participants at the workshop, said: “I am very fond of learning languages and Japanese is the language I really wanted to learn besides Spanish and French. I know the importance of acquiring professional skills apart from our education, so I decided to attend this workshop and whatever I learnt from here, I could spread the word to my fellow brothers and sisters who are educated but unemployed.”

According to the organisers, the training, which will be for five months, is likely to take place in the month of July. Meanwhile, the successful candidates (those who clear the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 level) will get 100% work placements in around 80 job categories, including hospitality, retail and medicine, in Japan.

However, not all the denizens are entitled to this international programme.

The trainees, as per the program eligibility criteria, have to be between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age. On the other hand, there are no educational qualifications to enroll in this programme.

In 2017, the Union ministry of skill development & entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the ministry of justice, ministry of health, labour and welfare of Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation initiating the TITP in India, a move to boost its traditional ties between the two countries. HI-NO-DE, a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company, is one of the approved sending organisations for the TITP by the Indian government.