Srinagar, Sep 4: Four students from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir have been selected for competitive research fellowships in Japan, advancing the institution’s international academic engagements. The selections take place amid expanding educational ties between India and Japan, which include a mutual framework aiming to host 10,000 Indian students and researchers over the next five years.

The selected scholars include doctoral student Tabish Jaan and master’s student Misbah Fayaz, both pursuing biotechnology under the supervision of Dr. Sajad Majeed Zargar, Head of the Division of Plant Biotechnology. From the discipline of plant pathology, doctoral scholar Sayima Nargis, working under the guidance of Dr. Tariq Rasool, along with master's graduate Nulevino Iralu, who completed her degree under the supervision of Dr. Aflaq Hameed, have also secured placements.
Tabish Jaan, Misbah Fayaz, and Sayima Nargis have been awarded the JST-LOTUS Fellowship for two years, one year, and three years respectively, while Nulevino Iralu earned a four-year Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship. During their tenures across Japanese research institutes, the scholars will focus on molecular biology and biotechnology applications aimed at mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses in crops and addressing critical nutritional challenges.
During their tenures at research institutes across Japan, the scholars will focus on molecular biology and biotechnology applications aimed at mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses in crops and improving nutritional security. The programs will grant them direct access to Japanese laboratory infrastructure, research methodologies, and collaborative developmental projects.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai commended the students and their academic mentors, observing that the fellowships align with the university's ongoing efforts to build sustained institutional links with global scientific organisations.