Visit of the Waseda University Delegation to the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

From 9 to 12 September 2026, the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted a working visit by a delegation from Waseda University, one of Japan’s leading higher education institutions. The delegation included Professor Atsushi Ogihara, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Waseda University, as well as graduate students from the university.

As part of the visit programme, Professor Atsushi Ogihara held a meeting with the leadership and academic staff of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. The meeting addressed the current state and key directions for further development of cooperation in the fields of higher education and research. The parties exchanged views on expanding academic ties, promoting academic mobility among students and faculty members, strengthening research cooperation, and implementing joint academic initiatives in the field of Japanese Studies.

One of the key components of the visit was an academic meeting between graduate students from Waseda University and students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. During the event, the students communicated in Japanese and exchanged their experiences concerning the educational and cultural contexts of Japan and Kazakhstan. The round-table format contributed to the development of students’ Japanese-language communication skills, the promotion of intercultural understanding, and the strengthening of direct academic interaction.

During the meeting, Professor Atsushi Ogihara presented the students with special gifts representing elements of traditional Japanese culture. This initiative contributed to increasing students’ interest in Japanese culture and society, as well as supporting their academic motivation in the field of Japanese Studies.

The visit of the Waseda University delegation represented an important step towards strengthening academic and research ties between the two higher education institutions. The mutual understanding established and the exchange of views that took place during the visit provide a basis for further expanding cooperation in the areas of education, research, and student academic mobility.

Author: Laila Nurseitova, PhD, Senior Lecturer