One-Day Guest Talk On: Exploring the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) – Academic and Career Prospects in Japan

EVENT OVERVIEW
Event Name	One-Day Guest Talk On: Exploring the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) – Academic and Career Prospects in Japan
Event Date	8^th May, 2026
Event Description	The one-day Guest Talk on “Exploring the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) – Academic and Career Prospects in Japan” was organized to provide students with a clear understanding of the academic and professional pathways available in Japan. The session was designed to create awareness among the students on the importance of Japanese proficiency as a professional qualification. The guest talk focused on the structure of the N5 through N1 levels and the career opportunities available with clearing these levels.
Resource Person(s)	Mr. Irungbam Mangan Singh, Principal, Center for Japanese Language Studies, Imphal, and, Secretary, Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Manipur
Coordinator(s)	Devasis Laishram, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil EngineeringKoko Karbia, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil EngineeringDr. Sonika Thongram, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil EngineeringDr. Kakchingtabam Anil Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
Organized by	Department of Civil Engineering, Manipur Technical University
Total Days of Event	One day
The number of Students Participating in the program	MALE	FEMALE	TOTAL
	45	11	56
Number of Faculty & Staff who participated in the program	TEACHING	NON-TEACHING	TOTAL
	9	1	10
Location	Manipur Technical University
Plan of action	The event was planned by the organizers in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering. An expert on Japanese language and the JLPT exam, with direct experience in the Japanese professional and academic sectors was invited as the guest speaker. The session was structured as a three-part program: an introductory lecture on the technical aspects of the JLPT exam, followed by a presentation on the career-pathways, detailing the various opportunities in Japan, and concluding with an interactive Q&A session. Publicity for the event was conducted through targeted departmental announcements, including a Poster and a Departmental Notice, to ensure high attendance from students interested in global opportunities.
Action Report	The guest talk was well-attended by students interested in the Japanese language and career and academic prospects abroad. After the felicitation of the guest, a short speech was presented by Dr. Ksh. Imokanta Singh, Chief Finance Officer, Manipur Technical University. The speaker began the talk by describing the Japanese language, history and culture, and its shared aspects with Manipur culture. The speaker then discussed the JLPT exam, its levels N1 through N5, and the opportunities for technical graduates in the Japanese labour market, specifically in engineering and IT. Following the guest talk, there was a vibrant interactive session with the speaker addressing various questions raised by the participants. The guest talk concluded with refreshments for the participants.
Outcomes / Impact of the activity	The event increased the awareness of the participants on the JLPT exam and its relevance for academic and career opportunities in Japan. The participants gained a clear understanding of how to progress from introductory N5 studies to professional-grade N2 or N1 levels. Further, the talk highlighted how a technical degree, paired with Japanese proficiency, creates a unique and highly marketable professional profile. Beyond the technical knowledge, the talk also sparked an interest in Japanese culture with future aspirations for Japanese and other foreign language clubs, short-term courses in foreign language in the university, and study trips in Japan and other foreign countries.
Feedback	The feedback for the event was positive, with participants noting that the session clarified them on the various avenues for academic and career opportunities in Japan. The participants also appreciated the speaker highlighting the available Japanese language courses in the state and the process of applying for the JLPT exam. There was also a general appreciation among the participants for the Japanese culture and discipline, with motivation to practice the same level of dedication in their personal lives. Constructive feedback included organizing short-term courses in the future where participants can learn the basics of Japanese language hands on. Overall, the feedback confirmed that the event successfully fulfilled its objective of motivating the students to explore academic and career opportunities abroad.