The MoU also marked a strategic initiative to address the language barrier that has prevented skilled Telangana nurses from accessing lucrative opportunities in Germany and Japan's healthcare sectors.
Published Sep 09, 2025 | 6:42 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 09, 2025 | 6:42 PM
Nurse
Synopsis: Under the partnership, EFLU will provide both virtual and direct training in German and Japanese languages over a two-year period. Students will receive certificates upon completion, which will help them meet the specific language proficiency requirements needed for overseas employment.
Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha on Tuesday, 9 September, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), to provide German and Japanese language training to students in government nursing colleges, giving them an opportunity to explore international career prospects.
The MoU also marked a strategic initiative to address the language barrier that has prevented skilled Telangana nurses from accessing lucrative opportunities in Germany and Japan’s healthcare sectors.
“This is a profession for those who can show kindness and love towards others,” Minister Rajanarsimha said while addressing nursing students, describing nursing as a “sacred profession that saves lives.” He particularly praised the selfless service of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they cared for patients in the absence of family members.
The initiative comes at a crucial time when both Germany and Japan are experiencing acute healthcare worker shortages. Japan, facing a rapidly aging population, has opened pathways for foreign nursing professionals through programs like the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, established under a Memorandum of Cooperation signed between India and Japan in January 2021.
Under the partnership, EFLU will provide both virtual and direct training in German and Japanese languages over a two-year period. Students will receive certificates upon completion, which will help them meet the specific language proficiency requirements needed for overseas employment.
For Japan, care workers must achieve at least N4 or N3 level certification on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), while registered nurses require higher proficiency levels of N2 or N1, along with the ability to read and write complex medical terms in Japanese. The process typically involves up to nine months of intensive language training in India, followed by qualification recognition and examinations.
Minister Rajanarsimha highlighted the government’s commitment to the nursing sector, revealing that approximately 7,000 nursing posts were filled last year, with recruitment for another 2,322 positions currently underway. “We are committed to ensuring employment opportunities for nurses not only within the country but also abroad,” he stated.
The state has significantly expanded its nursing education infrastructure, establishing 16 new government nursing colleges with two more in the pipeline. This expansion makes nursing education accessible even to rural students, addressing the growing demand for hospital and home-care services.
Telangana is uniquely positioned to implement this ambitious language program, boasting 132 nursing colleges across the state, including 95 private institutions and 37 government-owned colleges offering BSc Nursing courses. The state holds the distinction of being the only state in India with government medical and nursing colleges in every district.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had earlier directed officials in June to introduce Japanese as an optional subject in nursing colleges state-wide, emphasizing the significant opportunity this presents for Telangana’s nursing graduates. “The Japanese government is ready to support this initiative,” Reddy had stated during a review meeting with Health Department officials.
The Minister noted that interest in nursing courses has risen among students and parents, driven by growing awareness of international opportunities. The initiative is expected to enable nurses to earn attractive packages abroad, ensuring financial and social stability for their families.
The program addresses a key challenge identified by the state government: While nurses from Telangana possess strong professional skills, they often miss overseas opportunities due to language barriers. By providing structured language training, the state aims to unlock the potential of its healthcare workforce in the global market.
This partnership represents a forward-thinking approach to workforce development, combining the state’s educational infrastructure with international market demands to create sustainable career pathways for nursing professionals while addressing critical healthcare shortages in developed nations.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sumit Jha)
