Guwahati: In a major step aimed at expanding overseas employment opportunities for youth in Manipur, NSDC International Limited (NSDCI) and Manipur University have signed an agreement to set up a Japanese Language Training Centre on the university campus.
The collaboration, formalised on Monday, will operate through the Department of Vocational Studies and Skill Development (DVSSD), Manipur University, and is designed to equip Manipuri youth with language proficiency and job-ready skills for employment in Japan. The initiative aligns with the Government-to-Government (G2G) agreements between India and Japan and targets high-demand sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, and manufacturing.
NSDCI Chief Executive Officer Alok Kumar and Manipur University Registrar Prof. M. Premjit Singh signed the agreement in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. N. Lokendra Singh and senior officials from the state government, university administration, and NSDC. Among those present were IAS officer N. Bandana Devi, Secretary of Skill, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship, along with senior faculty members and NSDC representatives.
University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lokendra Singh described the initiative as a significant opportunity for students, expressing confidence that the centre would strengthen the global employability of youth from the state. During discussions, stakeholders underlined that the centre would not only provide structured Japanese language training but also focus on cultural orientation and clear overseas placement pathways.
Participants stressed the importance of extensive outreach beyond the university to maximise enrolment and placement outcomes. They recommended engagement through colleges, district-level skill centres, and community platforms, supported by systematic career counselling. Officials also highlighted that showcasing successful placements, alumni experiences, and employer engagement would help build trust among students and parents.
The meeting concluded with a consensus that strong institutional backing and effective awareness campaigns could turn the initiative into a scalable model for similar international programmes in the future.
Manipur University officials noted that DVSSD students have already established a strong track record in national and international placements across sectors, including aviation, hospitality, banking, teaching, and manufacturing. Over the past two years, 28 alumni, with support from NSDC International, have secured jobs in Japan’s hospitality sector with average annual salaries of around Rs 12 lakh. Many of these alumni currently remit approximately Rs 50,000 per month to their families in Manipur.
The new centre is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on aspirants. Earlier, students had to travel to cities such as Gurgaon and Noida for Japanese language and cultural training, spending nearly Rs 3 lakh for an eight to nine-month programme. With on-campus training now available, candidates can cut these costs by almost half without compromising training quality.
As part of the programme, students will undergo eight to nine months of intensive Japanese language training up to JLPT N5 and N4 levels, with an emphasis on achieving N4 or preferably N3 proficiency. The curriculum will also include sector-specific skills and workplace orientation, preparing candidates for language and skill assessments under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) programme.
The centre will initially train up to 250 candidates in its first year, with plans to expand capacity in subsequent years.
The authorities have fixed the training fees at Rs 1.10 lakh and will support candidates through skill loans and instalment options to ensure wider access.
Officials confirmed that the centre will begin its first batch in January 2026, and Japanese companies will visit Imphal in February 2026 for recruitment, marking a major step in connecting Manipur’s youth with global job markets.