On October 22, 2019, the Chinzanso Tokyo Hotel hosted the ceremony of conferring the academic title of Honorary Doctor of the University of Hirosaki to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived on a working visit to Tokyo the day before.
The ceremony was attended by the faculty and students of the University of Hirosaki, other Japanese universities, representatives of the Japan-Turkmenistan Association for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, members of the official delegation of Turkmenistan.
On behalf of the audience, the rector of the University of Hirosaki Kei Sato warmly greeted President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, emphasizing that this meeting marks a new stage in the development of bilateral relations in the humanitarian sphere, and, first of all, in the field of science.
Further, the decision made by the Academic Council of the university on awarding the head of the Turkmen state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the title of Honorary Doctor of the University of Hirosaki for his personal contribution to the development of Turkmen-Japanese relations, science and education was announced.
In a festive atmosphere, to the friendly applause of the ceremony participants, the head of the University presented the appropriate diploma to the President.
The head of Turkmenistan expressed sincere gratitude to the staff of the leading scientific and educational center of Japan for conferring the high rank: "I take this as a sign of respect for Turkmenistan, recognition of our country's achievements in science and education, evidence of friendship and growing ties between the peoples of the two countries."
Noting that more than twenty students from Turkmenistan are currently studying in Japan, the head of state expressed hope that this figure will increase in the future. In this regard, the President of Turkmenistan put forward a proposal to develop a targeted training program for Turkmen students in educational centers in Japan, which will allow them to be further sent on a systematic basis, taking into account the needs of the economy and the social sphere.
At the conclusion of the ceremony of conferring the Honorary Doctorate of the University of Hirosaki, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov spoke to Turkmen students studying in Japanese universities.