On September 26, 2024 the Rector Dogdurbek Chontoev received a delegation from the University of Tsukuba headed by its Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Mr. Jun Ikeda. During the meeting in the rector’s office meeting room, the parties discussed issues of cooperation between the two universities in the field of education and scientific research.
Having warmly welcomed the members of the delegation of the Japanese university to the National University, Dogdurbek Chontoev expressed respect and gratitude to them for their attention to the development of cooperation between the Kyrgyz National University and the University of Tsukuba.
“Our interaction with the University of Tsukuba, as well as with other Japanese universities such as Kokushikan, Kanazawa, and Tokyo University of International Studies, is of great importance for our university,” he continued. “We highly value exchange and academic mobility programs. They give our students a unique opportunity to develop in an international environment. At present, 5 of our students have successfully completed their internships at the University of Tsukuba, and we hope to continue such fruitful exchanges. I would especially like to note the role of the Japanese language and culture at our university. Currently, 56 students are studying Japanese, of which 20 have chosen it as their main foreign language. The university employs 2 Japanese language teachers, and we strive to expand our programs so that even more students can study the amazing language and culture of Japan.”
In conclusion of his speech, the Rector of KNU expressed hope for further strengthening of ties, launching new opportunities for students and teachers, as well as developing joint scientific and educational projects. “As the head of the National University, I will support our cooperation in every possible way. We are confident that our joint path will lead to even greater success in the future,” concluded Dogdurbek Chontoev.
The Vice-Rector for International Affairs of the University of Tsukuba thanked the Rector for the warm welcome and noted that the Kyrgyz National University and the University of Tsukuba have been cooperating since 2013. During this time several projects have been implemented. Then, he briefly spoke about his university, noting: “Our university is also a national one, it was chosen by the Japanese government as one of the 9 best universities of the highest type. We have 3 Nobel Prize laureates. In the world university rankings, the University of Tsukuba ranks 401-450, 55th place in Asia and 8th place in Japan.”
Mr. Ikeda Jun concluded his speech with the words: “We also hope for successful further cooperation.” The meeting was also attended by: the Head of the International Department of the Tsukuba University Sudo Yoshihiro, the international administrator Tokuda Yukako, the coordinator Ito Hironori, as well as the Director of the DICR KNU Bakyt Keldibekov and the Japanese language teacher of the Faculty of International Relations and Oriental Studies Mairam Jolbulakova.
