Chief Minister Pawan Chamling launched brochures of Edu Work Japan ‘Centre of Excellence’ Sikkim, in the presence of Japanese delegates at Chintan Bhawan here on Wednesday. Edu Work Japan ‘Centre of Excellence’ Sikkim is a flagship project under the Japanese vocational development skill project for India, and Sikkim is the first centre of this project in the country.

Mr Chamling expressed his delight to be part of the project. “I am happy to know that this is the first centre in the country,” he said. “This is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership for the benefit of students in Sikkim. It is going to be a great opportunity for the students,” he added.

He also urged students to consider themselves fortunate and avail of these opportunities. He further urged the youths and students of Sikkim to learn from Japan and it’s people and work hard like they do. He also highlighted the educational schemes of the state government and urged the students to avail of the schemes and make their future bright.

“It is good to try for government jobs, but if you don’t get them, then there is no harm in opting for private jobs or setting up one’s own business or start-up. Sikkimese should change their mindset and stop making excuses. We all should be job-providers and not job seekers,” Mr Chamling said.

Executive Director of Eduwork Japan, Kunihiro Arai, expressed his happiness to be part of this event in Sikkim. He said that ‘Gakken,’ which is associated with this project is a 70-year-old education publishing company. “Eduwork is a very special project that we are driving in India.

We have learnt that Sikkim is a progressive state in India under the visionary leader Pawan Chamling. Through this project we are here to strengthen the special relationship with Sikkim and its people. Our project will definitely benefit the youths of Sikkim,” he said. Hisahiro Yoshioka, the Principal of the O-HARA Japanese language Institute, Tokyo, also congratulated the entire team of Sikkim.

“It is a milestone, honour and motivation for us to have so many students interested in the education of Japan. OHara is one of the biggest vocational schools in Japan. We would be happy to welcome more Indian students in Japan as it will help develop the relation between the two countries,” he said. Raju Monga, the Director and CEO, Eduwork Japan, said it is a special journey with a vision and mission. “We are excited with the launch as it is the very first in India.