05/03/2023
Dear All, sharing brief report of Educational and Heritage study Tour 2023.
THE EDUCATIONAL AND HERITAGE STUDY TOUR - POST PANDEMIC
After a gap of 3 years, the 9th study tour was organised for the students from Bunkyo University and Aoyama Gakuin University,Japan from January 3rd to 10th, 23 by OISCA North India. However, this time the duration of the study tour was for 7 days instead of 15 days. Prof. Kaoru Hayashi from Bunkyo University along with students visited India for the study tour.
Since this was the first tour organised post pandemic, special care had been taken by OISCA as a precautionary measure. All the students returned home safe.
At the end of the tour, a student had got RT- PCR test done which was negative.
The study tour is especially designed for students studying in universities. Since 2012, every year, OISCA has been receiving students from various universities for this tour. However, we could not organise study tours between the year 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic.
OISCA has collaborated with more than 30 NGO’s to design the Study Tour.
This educational study tour focuses on visit to various projects addressing the following issues
1) Poverty Alleviation,
2) Visit to village for rural development projects and also to understand the rural life,
3) Environment Education programs,
4) Community Development programs,
5) Government projects,
6) Gender Equality
7) Visits to Small Scale industries, and
8) Visits to Educational institutions (schools and colleges).
9) Japan aided projects in India
This tour also focuses on visits to Heritage monuments to understand the rich cultural, tradition and history of India.
This year students visited Sulabh International and got the opportunity to have a discussion with Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, the founder of Sulabh International. Dr. Pathak has received the 23rd NIKKEI ASIA AWARD for ‘Culture and Community’ in Tokyo, Japan on June, 2018.
Students also met Mr. Anshul Gupta, the founder of GOONG. Students also visited their project site at Khadar, Delhi. The students learnt a lot from having a discussion with the Founders of Sulabh International and GOONG who have been doing great work for the upliftment of the society. Interacting with the Founders of GOONG and Sulabh International was a great learning experience for the students.
The group also met the Chief Representative of JICA and discussed about the various projects in India which are supported by JICA. The group visited two major projects in India supported by JICA – Delhi Metro in Delhi and Agra Sewage Project in Agra.
The students visited other NGO’s working in different fields-
1. Shanti Sahiyog, A Gandhian NGO
2. Maitrayana Charity Foundation
3. Bachpan Bachao Andolan
4. TERI (THE ENERGY AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE)
5. BAHAI House of Understanding
6. NAAZ Foundation
7. OISCA project in Agra (CFP School)
The students visited OISCA project in school in Agra. OISCA has implemented Children’s Forest program in 100 schools in Agra. The group visited St. Andrew’s Premier School. The group participated in the plantation drives along with the students from St. Andrews school. Students had also organized a cultural program focusing on the traditional dances of India. There was also a interaction and discussion amongst the Japanese and Indian students..
As a part of Heritage study tour, the group visited various monuments in Delhi and Agra. A heritage tour was guided by a historian, who has immense knowledge and are experts in this field.
It gives me a great pleasure to inform you that since 2012, around 500 students have participated in this Educational and Heritage study tour.
On behalf of OISCA North India, we look forward to welcoming more students, youth or groups for the study tour. Each tour is specially tailor made according to the group’s interest and objectives.
We also offer internship and work experience with NGO’s facilities.
Will keep you informed about all upcoming events.
Thanks
