Diplomat Correspondent
Kargil, DD, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon today facilitated two students from Kargil Arif Hussain of Higher Secondary School Akchamal and Zahra Batool of Government Higher Secondary School Trespone who successfully represented the district in the prestigious Sakura Science Exchange Programme held in Japan.
Executive Councillor for Education, Zakir Hussain, Councilor Chiktan Kacho Liyaqat Khan and Chief Education Officer Kargil Sonam Wangchuk were also present during the felicitation ceremony.
The programme, which saw participation from 74 students across India, aims to foster global collaboration in science and technology among youth through cultural and academic exchange.
During an interaction at the Council Secretariat, Dr. Akhoon lauded the achievements of the two students and described their selection as a proud moment for Kargil. He extended his best wishes to both Arif and Zahra for their academic journey ahead and encouraged them to share their learnings with fellow students across the district.
“Your participation is not just a personal milestone but a matter of pride for all of Kargil. I hope your experience motivates other students to dream big and work hard,” Dr. Akhoon said.
The students shared their firsthand experiences from the programme, expressing deep admiration for Japan’s advanced educational practices, scientific innovation, and cultural values. They particularly highlighted the emphasis on punctuality, discipline, teamwork, and the “learning by doing” approach in Japanese schools.
“The exchange gave us a whole new outlook on how science can be taught and applied. It was both exciting and inspiring,” said Arif Hussain.
“We learned not just about science but also about cooperation, respect, and the importance of time. It was truly a life-changing experience,” added Zahra Batool.
Taking note of their observations, CEC Dr. Akhoon directed the Department of School Education to explore how elements such as time management, learning by doing, and discipline can be implemented in local schools. He also instructed the department to record a video byte of the students speaking about their experience, which will be circulated among students in other schools across Kargil to inspire and educate them.DD