Dhempe College of Arts and Science received the support from Japan Science and Technology Agency for science exchange program under Sakura Exchange Program to Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan, a project submitted by the Principal, Dr Vrinda Borker.

Dr. Durga P. Kamat, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, along with nine students of T.Y.B.Sc. (attended Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (Sakura Exchange Program in Science) from 1^st to 8^th December 2018, Nanomaterials Research Centre, Meijo University is known for research on carbon nanotubes and Prof. Isamu Akasaki of this university won the nobel prize in 2014.

On 2^nd December 2018, the team visited Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology in the morning along with Prof. Takahiro Maruyama, Director of Nanomaterials Research center, Meijo University. The Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry & Technology, located at Noritake Shinmachi, Nagoya is a joint operation by Toyota Group of Companies. One of the important features of this museum was textile machinery, a core industry that helped build modern Japan. The museum also helps us to learn about the Evolution of Development and Production Technology. The museum truly communicates the “spirit of being creative” and the importance of “making things.’’ The next visit was to Atsuta-Jingu shrine to experience ancient Japanese culture and history and the Shinto religion, a place very beautiful with lots of trees and birds.

On 3^rd December 2018, the team was welcomed by the Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, at the welcome ceremony held at the Department of Applied Chemistry, Meijo University. The department offers graduate and postgraduate program. After the welcome ceremony there was a student exchange with Department of applied Chemistry. Both the Japanese and Indian students introduced themselves briefly. The Japanese students also presented their research work in the form of posters. Later, the team visited various laboratories belonging to the faculties of Applied chemistry having sophisticated instruments.

On 4^th December 2018, the students conducted Nanomaterial related experiments under the guidance of Prof. Bandow and got the opportunity to operate Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The team also performed experiments on the Tyndall effect in Prof. Saida’s laboratory.

On 5^th December 2018, Department of Applied Chemistry, Meijo University, organised a one-day symposium at Tempaku campus. The session was chaired by Prof. Takahiro Maruyama,. The first speaker of the symposium was Prof. Sumio Iijima from Nanomaterials Research center of Meijo University. His topic was “Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes”. The next speaker for the symposium was Dr. Durga P. Kamat. Her topics were “Overview and Research Activity of Dhempe College of Arts and Science” and “Synthetic Studies in Selected Heterocyclic Compounds.”

The next lecture was delivered by Prof. Tetsuya Takeuchi, Optoelectronics Device Research Center, on “LEDs have changed the World, Laser Diodes will change the world”. The last speaker of the symposium was Prof. Masafumi Ito, Plasma-Bio Science & Technology Center, who spoke on “Bio-Science and Applications Using Plasma Technology”. After the symposium the team visited Blue LED Group of Prof. Tetsuya Takeuchi at the LED joint research center located in the Innovative science and technology building of the University campus and the Nobel Prize Winner Room, belonging to the Lifetime Prof. Isamu Akasaki, who was honoured with the Nobel prize in Physics in the year 2014.

On 6^th December 2018, the students practiced Japanese calligraphy (Kanji), at the Calligraphy class held at the University campus conducted by Ms. Inahara Rie. Post lunch, the team visited Aichi Synchrotron Radiation Centre and Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, travelling via a linear motor car (Linimo).

On 7^th December 2018, Prof. Takahiro Maruyama delivered lecture on “Carbon nanotube and nanomaterials” in the morning session. Later, the team was taken for the campus tour and demonstration of preparation of carbon nanotubes using Chemical Vaporisation Depositor (CVD) and Arc Plasma Depositor (APD) under the guidance of Prof. Takahiro Maruyama was conducted. Characterisation and analysis of carbon nanotubes was then carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope SEM.

On 8^th December 2018, Characterisation and analysis of carbon nanotubes using Raman spectroscopy was carried out in the morning session under the guidance of Prof. Takahiro Maruyama. The students got hands on experience on Raman spectrometer. The students also got an opportunity to see instruments like X-Ray photoelectron spectrophotometer (XPS), benchtop NMR and X-Ray diffractometer.

After lunch, the team visited Buddhist cemetery near the University campus and Khoshoji Temple, Nagoya. Later the team was taken for shopping at the Oskanu street and Aeon Mall (Yagoto).

All the students had an opportunity to visit one of the best university of Japan and interact with the scientists.