On April 13, Tohoku University and the National University of Uzbekistan hosted an international academic exchange conference, which coincided with the two universities signing a Memorandum of Understanding. Organized by Tohoku University's Faculty of Education and the Graduate School of Education, the conference saw students and professors from both universities present research findings on a wide array of topics, many of which touched on the shared commonalities between Uzbekistan and Japan.

Uzbekistan is currently undergoing rapid investment into education, and Uzbekistan's National University, as the oldest and largest university in the country, will be at the forefront of the country's future academic output.

Tohoku University Executive Vice President Masahiro Yamaguchi kicked off the conference by speaking about the importance of academic partnerships and how universities act as bridges. "Partnerships like these make research efforts more sustainable and bring mutual benefits for both sides, while at the same time they expand the frontiers of knowledge."

Vice-rector for Academic Affairs at the National University of Uzbekistan, Shoohrat Amonovich, followed Yamaguchi's remarks by thanking his hosts and warmly extending an invite to Tohoku University staff, faculty, and students to visit Uzbekistan and experience the cultural treasures the country has to offer.

Delivering the keynote speech was Hideki Kozima, Dean of the Faculty of Education and the Graduate School of Education. Despite confessing he was a "beginner" in Uzbekistan, Kozima outlined the growing importance of Uzbekistan given it is Central Asia's most populous country and relayed the growing collaboration between Japan and Uzbekistan under the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue. His desire for closer collaboration also stems from his personal ambition to trek the silk road.

Following the opening session, students and faculty members from both universities illuminated the conference with their research findings, from the latest developments in tsunami and earthquake prevention measures to the similarities between Uzbek and Japanese traditional clothing.

A delectable array of Uzbekistan traditional snacks were prepared for guests. Participants could indulge in traditional Uzbek bread, dried fruits, and nuts in between sessions.

The delegation from Uzbekistan also included Tohoku University alumni Khabibulla Makhamatjanovich, who is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Philology at the National University of Uzbekistan. He fondly recalled his days at Tohoku University and noted the strong resemblance between Uzbek and Japanese culture.

Kozima rounded off the conference with a strong sense of optimism for future collaboration between Tohoku University and the National University of Uzbekistan. "This is only the beginning," he noted. "The seeds planted today will grow into the academic breakthroughs of tomorrow."

After the conference ended, the guests proceeded to a networking section where halal food was prepared for the visitors.