This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
Saini first visited Tokyo in December 2018 on a tourist visa, curious about both the city and its research environment. During that trip, she met a professor who asked why she chose Japan. She explained that she was seeking a place where innovative ideas and practical research were actively supported, and she felt Tokyo offered the right balance of resources, professionalism, and openness to new perspectives.
Encouraged by this first impression, she applied for scholarships and was awarded the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) university-recommended scholarship. She also received another offer but chose the MEXT program, which enabled her to officially come to Japan and begin her PhD in September 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One factor she especially appreciated was the application process. She found that while some countries required extensive documentation, Tokyo's process was simpler and more practical, allowing her to focus on her research goals.
At TMU, Saini discovered both academic and personal support. The university, established and operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), offers multiple avenues of funding, including MEXT, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and scholarships linked to partner universities and various Institutions. These opportunities bring talented students from diverse backgrounds to Tokyo.
When she arrived under pandemic restrictions, she appreciated how organized the response was. The TMG coordinated with universities to carefully manage student arrivals, arranging accommodation and support. Later, when her first scholarship term ended, she was able to continue thanks to another TMG program, which she described as one of the biggest sources of support she had received.
She also became involved in the MEXT Scholars Association, a student community that provides guidance and builds connections for scholarship recipients in Japan. Today, she serves as its president, helping to support others in the same way she was supported when she first arrived.
Saini's doctoral research brings together computer science and the humanities. She creates datasets from scratch and authenticates them with AI to study the symbols of the Indus civilization, often referred to as the Indus script or Indus signs. These symbols, once used for trade and even carved outside homes, clearly had meaning, but their interpretation remains undeciphered. Her research seeks to uncover possible connections by comparing them with other civilizations of the time.
The challenge lies in the limited availability of data. As she explained, AI functions like cooking—but in this case, the "raw ingredients," meaning data, are scarce. Despite this, she remains optimistic that her work will contribute to solving one of history's longstanding puzzles.
Her academic background reflects this interdisciplinary approach. Alongside degrees in computer science, physics, and mathematics, she also completed a master's in philosophy and studied psychology. These experiences deepened her interest in human behavior and societal challenges. For her, artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but ultimately, she believes research should focus on addressing human challenges—with humanity as its purpose and an emphasis on solving real-world problems.
Language is often a concern for international students, but Saini found the barrier less challenging than expected. While learning Japanese helps, she explained that Tokyo's international environment and the willingness of people to assist made the transition smooth. She observed that even those who speak little Japanese are able to live and work comfortably in the city, particularly in technology-related fields.
She still values the effort of trying. She believes that even simple gestures—basic greetings and courtesies like saying hello, offering thanks, or giving a polite bow—can go a long way in building connections and opening up opportunities.
Daily life in Tokyo also impressed her with its safety and convenience. "It's really a safe place... I can even go home on the last train around 1:00 a.m.," she said. She also highlighted the availability of late-night stores and the efficiency of public transport as major advantages.
For leisure, she enjoys visiting Odaiba. She described it as a relaxing place where the seaside view reminds her of home—a place where, one evening, the atmosphere even made her feel as though she were back by the Ganga River in northern India, particularly in Haridwar, a holy place in Uttarakhand.
Tokyo has provided Saini with more than academic resources. As an international hub for research, technology, and startups, the city offers exposure to conferences and networking opportunities that bring together experts from across fields. She noted that most major academic and industry events in Japan take place in Tokyo, making it an ideal location for building connections.
She has also taken on leadership roles in the student community. At TMU, she founded both the Google Developer Student Club and the Microsoft Learn Ambassador Club, while also mentoring high school girls in coding. These experiences, along with organizing conferences and volunteer activities, have reinforced her passion for teaching and mentoring.
Looking ahead, Saini plans to continue her academic career in Japan, having already been offered an assistant professor role. Teaching, mentoring, and research remain her focus, all shaped by her experiences in Tokyo.
Her guiding philosophy reflects her journey: "Don't replace your dreams, upgrade them." For her, Tokyo has been the city where those upgraded dreams became reality. "When I came to Japan, I saw people paying for the bus simply by tapping their phones. I was so surprised. Is Tokyo reading my mind or what?" she said with a laugh.
Saini encourages young researchers from abroad to experience Tokyo themselves. "When people are young, especially during college, they must travel, they must explore the world to have a different perspective. And nowhere is more inspiring than Japan and Tokyo," she said.
