On January 21, Okayama University Faculty of Education concluded an interfaculty agreement with Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University the Institute for Natural Sciences and Geography.

Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (KazNPU) is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Not only is it one of the leading institutes of pedagogical research in Central Asia, but it also plays a central role in training teachers in Kazakhstan.

The Faculty of Education at Okayama University cooperated with KazNPU from 2018 to 2019 under the development of the “Asia-Pacific ESD Teacher Competency Framework” financed by the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO. Furthermore, from 2021 to 2024, Okayama University will conduct joint research with KazNPU through the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Core-to-Core Program（A．Advanced Research Networks） under the project title “Formation of Center of Excellence to Promote Teacher Education for ESD (Education for Sustainable Development): Toward Achieving SDGs”.

The signing ceremony took place online, with Okayama University Faculty of Education Dean MIMURA Yukari and KazNPU Institute for Natural Sciences and Geography Dean Kulyash KAIMULDINOVA in attendance.

Both faculties will contribute to the development of pedagogical research in Japan and Kazakhstan by conducting joint research, holding joint seminars and creating opportunities for faculty and student exchange.