Prospects for Cooperation with Japan's SOAFS Organization Discussed

On June 19, Ilkhomjon Tukhtasinov, rector of the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, officially received representatives of Japan's Support Organization for Advancement Foreign Students Co., Ltd. (SOAFS) and Ponte Co. Ltd.

The meeting was attended by SOAFS company head Mr. Tetsuo Matsumuro, Director of the Education Department Ms. Reiko Hamada, as well as the head of Ponte Co. Ltd.'s Uzbekistan office, Mr. G'anikhon Maksudov.

For reference, SOAFS was established on June 7, 2023, and currently employs 25 staff members. The company’s main activities include organizing Japanese language and vocational training courses, conducting marketing activities, and placing Uzbek citizens in leading Japanese companies.

During the meeting, Ilkhomjon Tukhtasinov provided detailed information about international cooperation efforts at the university and the work on training specialists in the Japanese language.

Mr. Tetsuo Matsumuro noted that the company has established a Vocational Education Center at Tashkent State Technical University. From 2024 to 2025, Uzbek specialists have been sent to the following Japanese companies:

• 11 specialists to Daito Construction Company,

• 5 specialists to a logistics company in Osaka,

• 1 specialist to Ebara Automobile Company.

The main goal of the meeting was emphasized as preparing graduates of Uzbekistan State University of World Languages who have a strong command of Japanese and vocational skills, and providing them with employment opportunities in major Japanese companies, especially in tourism and hospitality.

Ilkhomjon Tukhtasinov also proposed establishing a Vocational Education Center under the Faculty of Oriental Studies for 3rd- and 4th-year students studying not only Japanese but also English. This initiative will enable training hundreds, not just dozens, of specialists for Japan in a short time. He further noted that such initiatives would contribute to increasing foreign investment in the university and the country.

At the end of the meeting, the parties acknowledged the necessity to formalize cooperation, sign agreements, and quickly begin training target personnel.