The V Forum of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Uzbekistan and Japan commenced today at Samarkand State University. This conference is attended by leaders of prestigious universities from Uzbekistan and Japan, including rectors, scholars, and specialists from Nagoya, Tsukuba, Kogakuin, Sophia, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Nagaoka University of Technology, Gifu, Yamagata, and several other universities.

The forum was opened by Rustam Khalmuradov, Rector of Samarkand State University, Honored Scientist of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Member of the Oliy Majlis Senate. Qoʻngʻirotboy Sharipov, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, congratulated the forum participants. The Minister particularly emphasized the importance of cooperation in education and scientific research from a development perspective.

Masuko Hiroshi, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, and Sodiq Safoyev, First Deputy Chairman of the Oliy Majlis Senate of Uzbekistan, wished success to the forum’s work in their speeches. Kenji Hirata, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Uzbekistan, addressing the forum participants, underscored the special significance of continuing Uzbekistan-Japan cooperation in education and scientific research and expressed great hope for the future of this collaboration. Sugiyama Naoshi, President of Nagoya University, and others discussed the primary tasks for expanding and developing cooperation, specifically noting the effective results of scientific collaboration between the two countries.

The holding of the forum for leaders of higher education institutions of Uzbekistan and Japan in Samarkand serves to strengthen scientific and educational ties. The bonds of friendship that have connected the peoples of the two countries for centuries are today manifested in practical cooperation in modern fields. For information, it can be noted that 6 universities in Uzbekistan collaborate with Japanese universities such as Tsukuba, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and Tokyo University of Agriculture. Over 1600 Uzbek students are learning Japanese, and 2300 Uzbek youth are studying at Japanese universities. Under the JDS program, 444 master’s students and 9 doctoral students have been trained. The Nagoya University Representative Office in Tashkent, the “Uzbekistan-Japan Youth Innovation Center”, and the activities of the Japan Digital University were recognized as examples of successful cooperation. Confidence was expressed that this forum would be an important factor in elevating the relations between the two countries to a new level.

Within the framework of the forum’s program, cooperation agreements were signed between higher education institutions of the two countries.

Tsukuba University’s cooperation and liaison office was ceremonially opened at Samarkand State University.

The “Samarkandim” – “My Samarkand” magazine was presented to the forum participants.