A New Milestone in Uzbekistan–Japan Cooperation in Higher Education
On August 7, 2026, a delegation from Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT), one of Japan’s leading universities specializing in science and technology, visited the Uzbekistan-Japan Innovation Center of Youth under Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov.
The visit marked an important new step in strengthening academic and institutional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan. A key objective of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nagaoka University of Technology and Tashkent State Technical University, as well as the opening of the Nagaoka University of Technology Office in Uzbekistan at the main building of Tashkent State Technical University.
The event was attended by H.E. Kenji Hirata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Uzbekistan; Mamoru Sakai, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Uzbekistan Office; Professor Shigeharu Kamado, President of Nagaoka University of Technology; Academician Sadritdin Turabjanov, Rector of Tashkent State Technical University; Saidmurad Niyazbekov, Director of the Uzbekistan-Japan Innovation Center of Youth, as well as other distinguished guests and representatives of the two countries.
During the event, the Japanese delegation expressed its sincere appreciation to the leadership and representatives of Tashkent State Technical University for the warm and cordial reception. The participants emphasized that the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding and the establishment of the Nagaoka University of Technology Office in Uzbekistan would provide an important platform for expanding long-term cooperation and implementing joint academic programs, research initiatives, international projects, and other collaborative activities between the two institutions.
Following the discussions, Academician Sadritdin Turabjanov, Rector of Tashkent State Technical University, and Professor Shigeharu Kamado, President of Nagaoka University of Technology, signed the Memorandum of Understanding, formally reaffirming the commitment of both universities to strengthening their strategic partnership in higher education, science, technology, and innovation. The program continued with the official opening ceremony of the Nagaoka University of Technology Office in Uzbekistan. The establishment of the office is expected to facilitate closer institutional interaction and create new opportunities for academic exchange, joint research, student and faculty mobility, educational initiatives, and the implementation of international projects.
The event concluded with presentations delivered by Professor Yukio Miyashita, Vice President for International Strategy of Nagaoka University of Technology, and Shavkat Azimov, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Transformation of Tashkent State Technical University. The speakers provided participants with comprehensive overviews of the two universities, highlighting their academic and research potential, international activities, and prospects for further cooperation.
The visit and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding represent another significant milestone in the development of Uzbekistan-Japan cooperation in higher education, research, innovation, and international academic exchange. The establishment of the Nagaoka University of Technology Office in Uzbekistan is expected to further strengthen institutional ties and create new opportunities for students, researchers, faculty members, and academic communities in both countries.
