The 40th public lecture, titled “Challenges from Kyrgyzstan: Strategies, Achievements, and Prospects for Promoting Exchange with Japan in the Field of Higher Education in Cooperation with Kazakhstan and Mongolia,” was held on Friday, May 12, 2023. Mr. IWAI Atsumu, Co-Director of the Kyrgyz Republic-Japan Human Resources Development Center (KRJC), a public interest incorporated association, served as the lecturer.
Mr. Iwai has extensive experience with JICA, specializing in international higher education cooperation in Thailand, Mongolia, and Egypt. In 2015, he received the Order of the North Star, Mongolia’s highest honor for foreigners. Currently, he serves as the co-director of the Kyrgyz-Japan Center, an international cooperation and exchange organization established in Bishkek in 1995 through an agreement between the Japanese and Kyrgyz governments.
During his lecture, Mr. Iwai discussed the strategic needs of the field and detailed the meticulous process that leads to reliable outcomes. He highlighted the following achievements in higher education cooperation: ①Kazakh-Kyrgyz Joint Japan Education Fair (58 Japanese schools participated over 3 years). ②Support for individual interviews between Japanese and Kyrgyz educational institutions (17 cases). ③Conclusion of exchange agreements with Kyrgyz and Japanese universities through KRJC support (7 agreements completed, 7 in progress). ④Exchange agreements between KRJC and Japanese universities and other institutions (5 agreements completed, 5 under discussion). ⑤Exchange agreements between KRJC and Kyrgyz universities (7 agreements). ⑥Internship opportunities for students (2 Japanese, 11 Kyrgyz). ⑦Student group study tours to Kyrgyzstan (1 completed, 1 planned). ⑧Support for promotional activities at Japanese universities (4 instances). ⑨School-to-school exchanges between Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia (3 instances). ⑩KRJC’s one-month Russian language improvement course (twice yearly, up to 800 people annually).
KRJC’s upcoming tasks include: ①Further identifying and responding to needs. ②Establishing the one-month Russian language course. ③Promoting Japan-Kyrgyzstan exchanges in engineering. ④Facilitating high school exchange programs. ⑤Strengthening the organizational structure.
Mr. Iwai’s lecture was a captivating experience, showcasing his exceptional ability to identify collaborative partners, develop and connect organizations, and unite them under a comprehensive strategy, overcoming significant obstacles.
