Kazakh National University named after al-Farabi and Japan’s University of Tsukuba signed a mutual cooperation agreement in 2012. Since that time, several projects have been carried out in the field of education and science. In 2015, with the initiative of the University of Tsukuba, the Tsukuba Center for the Study of Japan and Central Asia countries was opened at our university. Furthermore, the “Campus in Campus” project is being implemented between the two universities.
In 2014, Dr. Ninomiya Takashi from the University of Tsukuba was sent to the Far East Department of the Faculty of Oriental Studies as a project coordinator within the framework of this project. Dr. Ninomiya is a scientist-teacher who have come to KazNU named after al-Farabi to strengthen bilateral relations. Since then, Ninomiya sensei has been working as a lecturer at our university as well as a coordinator.
Ninomiya sensei entered the preparatory faculty of our university and began studying the Kazakh language. Within a year, he started speaking Kazakh. During these eight years, Mr. Ninomiya has been researching the similarities and differences between the Kazakh and Japanese languages, writing articles, publishing textbooks, dictionaries, and lecturing in the Kazakh language. It is undoubtedly a great feat to come to a country where his ancestors never set foot, and in a short period of time learn and master a completely unknown language and culture. At the same time, it shows his respect for the country and language where he lives.
Moreover, Ninomiya sensei not only mastered the Kazakh language and culture, but through the Kazakh language he is introducing our country to his native language and culture. He lectures about modern Japanese culture not only in the Faculty of Oriental Studies, but also in other faculties of our university, introducing our students to the Japanese language and culture. In this way, he is fulfilling his filial duty to his country.
In addition to teaching, Ninomiya sensei, as the coordinator of the “Campus in Campus” project, helps students of our university to enroll in the University of Tsukuba and to do language training every year. He gives comprehensive advice and helps with choosing a faculty, program, subjects, and filling out the documents. Organized by Sensei, an international symposium, conferences, and online lectures are held every year among the faculty members, master’s and doctoral students of the Department of Japanese Studies of Al-Farabi KazNU and Tsukuba University.
Ninomiya sensei makes a great contribution to the development of relations between the two countries and universities in the fields of science, education, and culture.
KazNU named after al-Farabi
lecture of the Far East Department,
Faculty of Oriental Studies
A.M. Nurelova