President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Nagoya University on December 18, 2019, and was welcomed by more than 100 faculty, staff, and students.
He met with Nagoya University President Seiichi Matsuo, two Nobel laureates of Nagoya University--University Professor Ryoji Noyori (Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2001) and Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability Professor Hiroshi Amano (Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014)--and others.
After the talk, a ceremony was held to present him with an Honorary Doctorate of Nagoya University. At the ceremony, Nagoya University President Matsuo spoke about President Mirziyoyev's academic career and his distinguished service as Uzbekistan's top leader, and cited the reasons for this conferment as President Mirziyoyev's contributions to furthering academic development with Nagoya University, as part of his strenuous efforts to foster academic exchange between Uzbekistan and other countries. President Matsuo presented the Honorary Doctorate to President Mirziyoyev amidst applause that resonated throughout the auditorium.
After receiving the degree, President Mirziyoyev delivered a commemorative lecture and expressed his gratitude, saying: "I am very honored to receive the Honorary Doctorate of Nagoya University, which has produced many excellent scientists, including Nobel laureates." His speech described the key to a nation's growth as education and academics, in addition to speaking about the Nagoya University Uzbekistan office established in 2010 as well as the project to set up a foundation for academic exchange between Japan and Uzbekistan. He concluded by mentioning his hopes that his visit will lead to further exchange between institutions of higher education of the two countries.
