NSU is one of six Russian universities that took part in educational activities with University of Tsukuba this year .
Elena Voitishche, Professor and Head of the Department of Oriental Studies talked about cooperation between the two universities:
– Participation in such a representative international forum, that brings together the traditionally best university- based Japanese centers in Russia, is an honor and responsibility for us. When the initial cooperation agreement between NSU and Tsukuba University ended in 2015, we immediately took concrete steps to expand cooperation. Over the next two years several Japanese colleagues made official and unofficial visits here and we sent several of our Bachelor, Masters and PhD students for long-term study and scientific internships to Japan. Such an active beginning of bilateral cooperation marks good prospects for further cooperation. We are grateful to the Japanese side and especially to Ms. Yuri Kato, Assistant Professor at the University of Tsukuba, for their invitation and full support of our joint projects and initiatives.
During their stay in Japan, the students and teachers took part in various educational and cultural events, including seminars, open lessons and cultural visits to the city.
The symposium brought together the leading Japanese experts in Russia. Elena Simonova talked about the prospects of teaching the Japanese language when there is not a supportive language environment. The subject turned out to be of great interest, almost 80 people came to the workshop conducted by the NSU teacher.
Within the framework of the Forum, the teachers also attended Japanese language classes for foreign students at Tsukuba University. Here they could watch the practical implementation of interesting methods and approaches to learning the Japanese language.
Simonova explained:
It was extremely interesting and useful to learn about various Internet resources developed in Japan that help teachers and students study Japanese. At the primary level, the University of Tsukuba uses a robot for conversation, which can be useful forming communication skills.
Valery Sokolova felt that an important session in terms of language practice for students, was a Japanese lesson where participants were asked to interview students and university staff. The results of their interviews were presented by students to Russian and Japanese teachers. For Russian students, Tsukuba University also organized a «Biblio-Battle», the participants were asked to talk in Japanese about any book they like.
The format of such a forum is interesting not only because it allows you to see the organization of the educational process and classes at the University of Tsukuba, but also a rare opportunity to communicate with colleagues from other universities. During the one-week internship, the teachers exchanged opinions, shared their knowledge and, in turn, learned something new from colleagues. For students, of course, participation in the Forum provides an incentive for further study and improvement in the Japanese language.
At the end of the Forum, students and teachers were awarded certificates for their successful completion of an internship at the University of Tsukuba.
In 2015, as part of the University of Tsukuba delegation visit to NSU, representatives from the two universities developed specific steps for cooperation in the field of academic exchanges, short-term fellowships and joint research in various fields of science.
The University of Tsukuba was founded more than 135 years ago. Originally founded in Tokyo as a state pedagogical university, the University was reorganized in 1973 taking into account aspects of Akademgorodok and moved to the city of Tsukuba. Currently, the University provides education for a variety of Bachelor's, Master's and Postgraduate programs. Three Nobel laureates have Honorary Professorships at the University of Tsukuba: Shinichiro Tomonaga (physics, 1965), Leo Esaki (physics, 1973) and Hideaki Shirakawa (chemistry, 2000).
