Activities (FY 2023)

Training

Student Exchange Program

1. Short-term study abroad program (Republic of Kazakhstan)
   Host Institution: Kazakh National University (Almaty)

Lectures

Special consecutive public lectures for freshmen

In light of the global impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have decided to organize a series of public lectures for new students at the University of Tsukuba, who have faced challenges in leading a normal university life, which was previously taken for granted. The lectures are designed to encourage new students who have encountered difficulties with online education since their enrollment and aim to help students improve their intellectual curiosity and vitality, essential elements for their future campus life.

1. Title: “To Survive in the Era of Generative AI Revolution -What to Learn and What to Do in the University Era”
   Lecturer: Prof. Tosaku Yasuhiko (University of California, San Diego)
   Date: Thursday, July 6, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the event

Lecture Series “The Future of Central Eurasia and Japan”

The NipCA Project aims to contribute to the development of local communities through stimulating awareness about sustainability issues not only among NipCA Fellows, but also among faculty members, researchers, and students both within and outside the university. Since its establishment, the project has conducted a series of public lectures featuring experts addressing themes related to social and global issues in the Central Eurasian region and Japan. These lectures are integral to the University of Tsukuba Super Global University (SGU) project.

(Note: The lectures will commence from the 40th session in the 2023 Fiscal Year.)

1. Title: 40th Lecture “Challenges from Kyrgyzstan: Strategies, Achievements and Prospects for Promoting Exchange with Japan in the Field of Higher Education in Cooperation with Kazakhstan and Mongolia”
   Lecturer: Mr. Iwai Atsutake (Co-Director, Japanese Human Resources Development Center, Kyrgyz Republic)
   Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the event
2. Title: 41st Lecture “Ancient Japanese Mythology and the Lore World of Central Asia: What Can Be Seen from the Perspective of Shamanism”
   Lecturer: Dr. Andassova Maral (Institute for Advanced Study, Waseda University)
   Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the event
3. Title: 42nd Lecture “Behind the Scenes of NHK WORLD-JAPAN – Efforts to Strengthen Russian and Ukrainian Language Transmission after the Invasion of Ukraine”
   Lecturer: Mr. Fukuda Kei (Director, Multilingual Media Department, NHK International Broadcasting Station)
   Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the event
4. Title: 43rd Lecture “Horse Society Explored from Drones”
   Lecturer: Ms. MaedaTamao (JSPS Research Fellow PD 〈The Graduate University for Advanced Studies〉)
   Date: Monday, November 14, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
5. Title: 44th Lecture “Seeking Smiles for 36 Years and Beyond”
   Lecturer: Mr. Mori Yuji (Executive Director, The Nippon Foundation)
   Date: Monday, December 4, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
6. Title: 45th Lecture “Special Lecture by Kazakh National University and Narxoz University”
   Lecturer1:Youth of Post Independence Kazakhstan between the West and Asia by Prof. MAULSHARIF Mira
   Lecturer2:Perception of Global and Local Identity by Kazakh Youth: Post Colonial Discourse by Prof. MAULSHARIF Mira, Prof. KYLYSHBAYEVA Bibigul, and Prof. SEISEBAYEVA Raikhan
   Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023
   Location: Student Commons 1A203, University of Tsukuba
   → Click here to see the report of the event
7. Title: 46th Lecture “Why are there no hiragana on road signs?”
   Lecturer: Prof. Iwata Kazunari (Department of Japanese Language and Literature, University of the Sacred Heart)
   Date: Monday, December 20, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
8. Title: 47th Lecture “Multicultural Conviviality Policies and Multilingual Response in Local Governments: Considerations from the Trends of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture”
   Lecturer: Prof. Okado Hiroko (Department of Human Studies, Meijo University)
   Date: Friday, January 26th, 2024
   Location: Zoom Meeting
9. Title: 48th Lecture “The Future of Generative AI and University Education – Ensuring Continuous Intellectual Growth”
   Lecturer: Prof. Tosaku Yasuhiko (University of California, San Diego)
   Date: Friday,February 13th, 2024
   Location: Student Commons, University of Tsukuba (Building 1A, 203)/Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the event

Lecture Series “COIL-type Large-scale Education Promotion Project with Turkmenistan”

NipCA project is offering special lectures this year for students in the Japanese language department at Azadi University of World Languages.

1. Title: Vol. 1 “Japanese Local Governments and the Dissemination and Expansion of ‘Easy Japanese”
   Lecturer: Prof. Usuyama Toshinobu（NipCA Project Administration Director, University of Tsukuba)
   Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event
2. Title: Vol. 2 “Contrast between Japanese and Turkmen Languages”
   Lecturer: Mr. Oku Masahiro(Project Researcher, University of Tsukuba)
   Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event
3. Title: Vol. 3 “Japanese Culture through Cinema”
   Lecturer: Dr. Yuji Kajiyama,(UIA/NipCA coordinator, University of Tsukuba)
   Date: Thursday, October 5, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   →Click here to see the report of the day’s event

Borderless Onsite Meeting
(Introduction to the Central Asia and Caucasus Region by International Students)

This program, co-hosted with the Global Commons of the International Affairs Bureau, aims to create a space for both international and domestic students and faculty to interact in English during lunch breaks. The gatherings take place on the third Friday of odd-numbered months at Student Plaza on campus.

1.  “Natural Attraction of Kazakhstan”
   Presenter : Mr. Temerkhanov Artur (4th NipCA Fellow)
   Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
   Location: Student Commons, University of Tsukuba (Building 1A, 203)
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
2.  “Uzbekistan: History, people and culture”
   Presenter: Ms. Suvanova Yulduzkhon (3rd NipCA Fellow)
   Date: Friday, July 21, 2023
   Location: University of Tsukuba Student Commons (Building 1A, 203)
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
3.  “Kyrgyzstan: Mirror of nomadic culture”
   Presenter: Ms. Aitimbetova Aidai (4th NipCA Fellow)
   Date: Friday, September 15, 2023
   Location: University of Tsukuba Student Commons (Building 1A, 203)
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
4.  “Exploring Tajikistan’s Persian heritage”
   Presenter: Ms. Davronova Farangis (4th NipCA Fellow)
   Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2023
   Location: Student Commons, University of Tsukuba (Building 1A, 203)
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
5.  “Azerbaijan -the Land of Fire, and more-”
   Presenter: Ms.Hasanova Nargiz (5th NipCA Fellow)
   Date: Friday, January 26, 2024
   Location: University of Tsukuba Student Commons (Building 1A, 203)
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
6.  “Turkmenistan: A Journey through Culture and History”
   Presenter: Ms.Geldiyeva Mivegozel (1st NipCA Fellow)
   Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
   Location: University of Tsukuba Student Commons (Building 1A, 203)

International Conferences

1. Conference: International Association for Media and Communications Research (IAMCR) Lyon 23
   Date: Saturday July 9 to Thursday July 13, 2023
   Location: Lyon, France
   Presenter: Prof. Tkach-Kawasaki Leslie,  (NipCA Fellow Academic advisor)
   Title: Japan’s Digital Transformation (DX) and Trends in Public Policy Communication
   →Click here to see the report of the day’s event
2. Conference: the Institute of Civic Studies and Learning for Democracy (ICSLD)
   Date: Sunday, September 3rd to September 10, 2023
   Location: James Madison University, USA
   Participant: NipCA Project researcher Dr. Insebayeva Nafissa
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
3. Conference: Sustainable Development in Central Asia International Conference
   Date: Monday, September 4, 2023
   Location: Tashkent University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
   Title/Presenter
   ① “Between Coloniality and Indigenization: Two Polarities in Knowledge Generation in Central Asia”/Prof. Dadabaev Timur (NipCA Fellow   Academic advisor)
   ② “Diversion and the Aral Sea Crisis”/Prof. Shioya Akifumi (NipCA Fellow Academic advisor)
   ③ “Teaching SDGs in Higher Education Institutions”/Prof. Yamamoto Yukiko  (NipCA Project Faculty Associate Professor)
   ④ “The role of structural mediation actors and their effects on Uzbek trainees pre-departure and sojourn in Japan”/Dr. Soipov Jasur (Research Fellow)
   →Click here to see the report of the day’s event
4. Conference: 67th Annual Meeting of the Comparative International Education Society (CIES 2024)
   Date: Sunday, March 10 to Thursday, March 14, 2024
   Location: Miami, FL, USA
   Presenter: Prof. Yamamoto Yukiko (Faculty in charge of NipCA Project), Ismailov Murod, PhD.
   Title: English Medium Instruction in Japanese Higher Education: Issues and Expectations for the “Dejima” Model of English-Taught Degree Programs
   →Click here to see the report of the day’s event

Other events, etc.

1. Return report meeting of the 2022 language training program (in Kazakhstan)
   Date: Friday, June 23, 2023
   Place: Building A, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
2. Courtesy visit to Nippon Foundation President Mr.Sasakawa Yohei
   Date: Monday, September 11, 2023
   Location: The Nippon Foundation Headquarters
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
3. Graduation Ceremony for the 3^rd cohort of NipCA Fellows
   Date: Monday, September 25, 2023
   Location: University of Tsukuba
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
4. Visit by Ambassador of Turkmenistan
   Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
   Location: University of Tsukuba
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
5. English lecture on the SDGs by Prf. Yamamoto Yukiko for local high school students
   ① Date: Monday, September 12, 2023
   Location: Tsuchiura Nihon University Senior High School
   ② Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
   Location: Joso Gakuin High School
6. NipCA Fellow SPJES 2023 Kick-off Meeting
   Date: Monday, October 2, 2023
   Location: 409, Building of Culture and Master’s Program, University of Tsukuba
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
7. Japan Central Asia Exchange Forum 2023
   Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023
   Location: 110, Building of Laboratory of Advanced Reserch A
8. Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan) Returnee Report Meeting/Central Asia and Caucasus Exchange Program (including language training)
   Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
   Location: Student Commons, University of Tsukuba (Building 1A, 203)
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
9. Special lecture by Prof. Masaki Ono at Oghuzhan University of Technology
   Date: Monday, October 30, 2023
   Location: Zoom Meeting
   → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
10. Japan Education Fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
    Date: Monday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 7, 2023
    Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
    → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
11. Domestic Conferences “The Japanese Association for Studies in Russian Language Education, the 3rd Research Meeting”
    Date: Sunday, December 3, 2022
    Place: Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
    Title: “Exploring New Possibilities for Russian Language Training and Study Abroad: The Case of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan”
    Presenters: Prof. Usuyama Toshinobu  (Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences),
    Dr. Kajiyama Yuji  (UIA, Student Affairs, Part-time Lecturer of Russian Language),
    Prof. Kato Yuri (Professor, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences),
    Prof. Yamamoto Yukiko  (Associate Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences),
    Ms. Tokuda Yukako (Adjunct Researcher, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences)
    Ms. Mitsui Asuka (Part-time Lecturer of Russian)
12. NipCA Project Advisor Professor Dadabayev Timur Joins JICA Chair
    Program: JICA Chair (Intensive Lecture Series on International Development and Diplomacy and Research Methodology in Japan)
    Date: Monday, February 19 – Thursday, February 22, 2024
    Location: University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
    → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.
13. Courtesy visit to Nippon Foundation Executive Director Mr.Mori Yuji
    Date: Monday, March 18, 2024
    Location: The Nippon Foundation Headquarters
14. The 6th Online Russian and Central Asian Film Screening
    Date: Friday, March 22, 2024
    Location: Zoom Meeting, Vimeo
    19:30-19:55: Commentary on the work “Songs and Dances of Uzbekistan to be Discovered” (Yuji Kajiyama, Coordinator of UIA/NipCA, University of Tsukuba)
    20:00-21:19: Screening of “I’m crazy about you” (1958, 79 min.) by Yuldash Agzamov
15. Graduation Ceremony for the 4th cohort of NipCA Fellows
    Date: Monday, March 25, 2024
    Location: University of Tsukuba
    → Click here to see the report of the day’s event.