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Date: 19 March 2015, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Venue: Main Hall, Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. Rudaki ave. 33, Dushanbe.
Background Tajikistan is a landlocked and mountainous country (altitudes from 300m~7495m). 93% of its territory is covered by the mountain ranges of Pamir, Hisor and Tien-Shan, the highest mountain systems of Central Asia. Since ancient times the territory of modern Tajikistan was located on the important historical routes of the world-known Silk Road. Tajikistan is a country of the highest peaks, powerful glaciers, turbulent rivers, beautiful lakes, unique flora and rare plants. Flora of Tajikistan consists of more than 5,000,000 species of higher plants, including many endemics. Rare species of animals are preserved, such as the horned goat, mountain argali (Marco Polo), Bukhara argali, spotted Bukhara deer, snow leopard, Tien-Shan brown bear, striped hyena and Indian mountain goose. There are 84 species of mammals, over 365 species of birds, 49 species of reptiles, about 52 fish species and more than 10000 species of insects inhabit in the territory of country. Tajikistan is the richest country in Central Asia in terms of reserves of water resources and is the source of about 60% of Central Asia’s water supplies. Tajikistan ranks eighth in the world on reserves of hydropower resources. Tajikistan is rich in mineral resources, such as rare metals, precious and semi-precious stones, non-ferrous metals including tin, lead, antimony and mercury. It also has significant deposits of uranium ore. There are more than 600 documented mineral deposits. Despite, Tajikistan was the poorest republic of the former Soviet Union and still is the poorest country in Central Asia and CIS region. It was the only country in Central Asia, which experienced a long civil war (1992-1997) soon after its independence in 1991. The war damaged almost all infrastructure and economy. Japan and Tajikistan are the two ancient Asian nations, which have many common cultural values and heritage. Both nations were successfully connected through the ancient Silk Road. The relations between the two friendly countries Japan and Tajikistan are good and friendly in general, but they are mainly a relationship between an aid donor country Japan and the aid recipient Tajikistan. The relations of the both countries on education, science, technology and innovation are limited. There are few Tajikistani students in Japan. It is necessary to promote effective and mutually beneficial collaboration and exchanges between Japanese and Tajikistani scientific organizations and academic institutions. I am sure that there are lots of opportunities and prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. Aim Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan is interested in fruitful collaboration and partnership with Japanese scientific organizations and academic institutions, especially with the University of Tsukuba and University of Tokyo. With this purpose the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan initiated and organized the 1
st Japan-Tajikistan
Symposium on Science, Technology and Innovation in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan on March 19th 2015. The
aim of symposium was to bring together the Japanese and Tajikistani scientists to exchange views for future fruitful collaboration. Agenda Six people from Japan (five people from the University of Tsukuba and one person from the University of Tokyo) were invited and travelled to Tajikistan to take part in the symposium. Members of the delegation from Japan: 1. Prof. Makoto M. Watanabe, Core Laboratory for Algal Biomass and Energy System, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba; 2. Prof. Toyohisa Fujita, Director of Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo; 3. Dr. Hirofumi Matsui, Division of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba; 4. Dr. Tsuyoshi Kaneko, Division of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba; 5. Dr. Zubaidullo Ubaidulloev, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba; 6. Ms. Emi Kusuda, Official, Core Laboratory for Algal Biomass and Energy System, University of Tsukuba.
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Day 1: March 19, 2015
There were various participants and audience, such as professors, scientists and researchers from the Academy of Sciences
of the Republic of Tajikistan, its branches and institutes, as well as from the universities of Tajikistan. Also, there were
representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Tajikistan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Media was
represented by the State TV “Bahoriston”, Radio Ozodi and others. The symposium was opened by Academician Prof.
Mamadsho Ilolov, Director of the Center for Innovative Development of Science and New Technologies and Ex-President
of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, who made a welcome speech.
Opening of the symposium
Then Mr. Yoshishiro Horie, the Second Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of
Tajikistan made a speech on behalf of the Ambassador of Japan to Tajikistan Mr. Takashi Kamada.
Left to right:
Prof. T. Fujita, Mr. K. Ishii, Mr. Y.
Horie & Dr. T. Kaneko at the
symposium.
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Dr. Zubaidullo Ubaidulloev, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba made a keynote speech on
“Tsukuba Science City and University of Tsukuba: A brief introduction”. Dr. Zubaidullo Ubaidulloev introduced the
Tsukuba Science City and University of Tsukuba in English and Tajiki languages.
Dr. Zubaidullo Ubaidulloev is delivering the keynote speech.
It was followed by the two scientific sessions. Total of six scientists (three in each session, two from Japan and
one from Tajikistan) made the following presentations:
Session I:
1. Prof. Makoto M. Watanabe (University of Tsukuba): “Research on algae biomass in the University of
Tsukuba”.
2. Prof. Toyohisa Fujita (University of Tokyo): “The waste treatment, environmental purification and mineral
extraction”.
3. Ms. Gulnora Anvarova (Department of Power Engineering, Tajikistan Technical University named after M. S.
Osimi): “The prospects of usage of municipal waste energy for electro power system of Tajikistan”.
Session II: 1. Dr. Hirofumi Matsui (University of Tsukuba): “Reactive oxygen radicals accelerate Cancer Cellular Invasion”.
2. Dr. Tsuyoshi Kaneko (University of Tsukuba): “The cancer treatment in aging society”.
3. Dr. Abdusamad D. Dustov (Institute of Gastroenterology, Academy of Medical Sciences, Tajikistan):
“Hepatitis B and liver cancer in Tajikistan”.
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Prof. Makoto Watanabe making a presentation.
Prof. Toyohisa Fujita making a presentation.
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Ms. Gulnora Anvarova making a presentation.
Dr. Hirofumi Matsui making a presentation.
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Dr. Tsuyoshi Kaneko making a presentation.
Dr. Abdusamad Dustov making a presentation.
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Left to right:
Prof. M. Ilolov, Prof. M.
Watanabe & Dr. Z.
Ubaidulloev during the
closing of the
symposium.
The closing remarks were made by Academician Prof. Mamadsho Ilolov (Director of the Center for Innovative
Development of Science and New Technologies and Ex-President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of
Tajikistan) and Mr. Kiyoshi ISHII (Resident Representative of the JICA Tajikistan Office).
The Japanese delegation in
front of the Presidium of
the Academy of Sciences
of the Republic of
Tajikistan.
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Group photo after the
symposium.
Day 2: March 20, 2015
In the morning we – all members of the Japanese delegation made a visit to the UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan (Aini
street 39, Dushanbe). We paid the tribute to late Dr. Yutaka Akino (former Associate Professor of the University of
Tsukuba), laid flowers, honored and remembered him. Dr. Yutaka Akino lost his life in Tajikistan on 20th July 1998, while
on active service as a Civil Affairs Officer of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT), along with
three other UN employees.
At the UNDP Country Office,
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
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At the UNDP Country Office,
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
At the UNDP Country Office,
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Then we visited several institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, such as Institute of
Gastroenterology; Institute of Chemistry; Institute of Geology, Earthquake Engineering and Seismology and Institute of
Water Issues, Hydro-Energy and Ecology. The purpose of our visit was:
- To meet the leadership and scientists of the institutes;
- To become familiar with the institutes and their achievements;
- To introduce the University of Tsukuba and the University of Tokyo;
- To discuss the issues of collaboration between Japan and Tajikistan on science, technology and innovation;
- To establish a scientific and academic network for future exchanges and collaboration.
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The visits, meetings and discussions at these institutes were interesting, constructive and useful for both sides. Both, the
Japanese delegation and the leaders and scientists of the mentioned institutes in Tajikistan expressed their wish and interest
to further realize the collaboration and exchanges.
Left to right:
Prof. T. Fujita,
Dr. Saidazam Saidov,
Dr. T. Kaneko & Dr. H.
Matsui at the entrance
of the Institute of
Gastroenterology of
the Academy of
Medical Sciences,
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Group photo after the
meeting at the Institute
of Gastroenterology of
the Academy of
Medical Sciences,
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
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Group photo with scientists of the Institute of Geology, Earthquake Engineering & Seismology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan.
With scientists of the Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan.
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Prof. Zayniddin Muhiddinov – Director, Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan giving a present to our delegation.
Group photo with scientists of the Institute of Water Issues, Hydro-Power & Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan.
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At the traditional Tajiki
restaurant “Toqi” in Dushanbe,
Tajikistan.
Day 3: March 21, 2015
The Japanese delegation was invited and attended the traditional Tajik (Persian) New Year Navruz celebrations in Vahdat
town (located 25km east of the capital Dushanbe city). The Navruz celebrations there was organized by the Government of
Vahdat district and opened by its mayor. The members of Japanese delegation watched and enjoyed various Navruzi
cultural programs. After that all members of the Japanese delegation were invited by the Mayor of Vahdat district for
having a New Year Navruzi lunch in the beautiful nature at Romit valley of Vahdat district.
At the New Year Navruz
celebrations in Vahdat town,
Tajikistan.
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Day 4: March 22, 2015 On this last and fourth day of trip to Tajikistan, the Japanese delegation members were taken to sightseeing to the old Hisor fortress (about 30km west of the capital Dushanbe city). Hisor was a capital and administrative center of the Eastern Bukhara Emirate (present Tajikistan) from the epoch of Timurids Dynasty until its occupation by the Soviet Russians in 1920.
At the old Hisor fortress.
On March 23, 2015 the Japanese delegation departed from the Dushanbe International Airport and via transit at Istanbul Ataturk Airport we arrived well at Narita International Airport on March 24, 2015. Future plans: 1. To establish the joint collaboration on science, technology & innovation between the University of Tsukuba, University of Tokyo and Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and its institutes. 2. To identify and propose by these three organizations the concrete ideas and themes for further joint collaboration. 3. To organize the 2
nd Japan-Tajikistan Symposium on Science, Technology & Innovation in Tsukuba during the
Tsukuba Global Science Week 2015. 4. To sign an agreement on collaboration between the University of Tsukuba and Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. As a coordinator of the 1
st Japan-Tajikistan Symposium on Science, Technology and Innovation, which
successfully was held in Dushanbe in March 2015, I sincerely thank all members of the Japanese delegation from the University of Tsukuba and University of Tokyo for their valuable support and contribution for the success of the symposium. Moreover, I deeply thank the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and its Center for Innovative Development of Science and New Technologies for their overall support, organizing this symposium in Dushanbe and kind hospitality. I am sure this successful symposium contributed further development of relations between the friendly countries Japan and Tajikistan. I am hopeful and positive for fruitful collaboration and exchanges between Japan and Tajikistan on science, technology & innovation.
Dr. Zubaidullo UBAIDULLOEV
Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies (TIAS),
Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences,
University of Tsukuba, Japan.