The University of Tsukuba is among Japan’s leading research universities, internationally recognised for its achievements in computer science, artificial intelligence, medicine, and interdisciplinary research.

Among the official guests at the event were H.E. Chikahisa Sumi, Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, and H.E. Marieta Arabadjieva, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Japan. The University of Tsukuba delegation also included Vice President Prof. Osamu Ohneda, Prof. Yasunori Endo, and CCS Director Yasuteru Shigeta.

Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, Director of GATE Institute, emphasized the importance of the sustainable development of the partnership between the two institutions:

“Your visit today is not only a continuation of our already established academic dialogue, but also a strong symbol of the deepening friendship between Bulgaria and Japan. Over the past year, we have achieved tangible progress in our joint activities. We believe that universities should not only serve as academic centres of knowledge, but also as drivers of societal transformation.”

The partnership between GATE Institute, the University of Tsukuba, and the Center for Computational Sciences (CCS), supported by bilateral cooperation agreements signed between 2024 and 2025, has already produced concrete results. These include an increasing number of joint scientific publications in key research areas, the establishment of joint research groups, and the organisation of multiple seminars and scientific meetings for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and research outcomes. The collaboration contributes to the development of an international scientific network and strengthens cooperation between Bulgarian and Japanese researchers in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, high-performance computing, digital twins, smart cities, climate research, and digital healthcare.

President of the University of Tsukuba, Prof. Kyosuke Nagata, highlighted the importance of trust and the new opportunities for international scientific collaboration:

“Japan and Bulgaria are geographically distant countries, but over the years they have built genuine friendship and mutual trust. Trust is the foundation of science and of every successful partnership. I believe that Horizon Europe opens new opportunities for our institutions to develop internationally significant joint research projects.”

He also emphasized the need for closer interaction between academia, industry, and the public sector in order to accelerate the implementation of scientific results and support the development of sustainable innovation ecosystems.

Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria H.E. Chikahisa Sumi described the cooperation between GATE and the University of Tsukuba as an important contribution to the strategic relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of data science, smart cities, and sustainable technologies.

Ambassador of Bulgaria to Japan H.E. Marieta Arabadjieva noted that the partnership between the two institutions has evolved into a sustainable model for international scientific cooperation, bringing together established scientists, young researchers, and students.

As a next step in the development of the collaboration, the participants discussed plans for expanding the existing working groups and developing new joint scientific projects. The Japanese side highlighted GATE’s key role in strengthening interdisciplinary academic exchange between students and researchers.

President of the University of Tsukuba Prof. Kyosuke Nagata and the delegation also met with the Acting Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Assoc. Prof. Parvan Parvanov. The meeting was attended by Vice-Rectors Prof. Reneta Bozhankova and Prof. Stoyan Shishkov, as well as Prof. Anastas Gerdzhikov, Chair of the GATE Executive Board. The two sides discussed opportunities for expanding collaboration with other faculties and units of Sofia University in areas such as physics, biology, and medicine.

The visit of the University of Tsukuba delegation to Sofia further strengthened GATE Institute’s role as a key international partner in data science, artificial intelligence, and innovation, while reaffirming the shared ambition of the two institutions to build long-term strategic cooperation for the benefit of society.