On June 17, 2026, Saga University welcomed a courtesy visit from Bakhtiyar Sabdenaliyev, President of the Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering (KazGASA), and Zhangazy Moldamuratov, Vice President. KazGASA maintains a faculty-level exchange agreement with Saga University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.
The delegation met with Saga University President Koichi Node, Executive Director Shigehisa Aoki (Research, Community Cooperation, and International Affairs), Vice President Maiko Sakamoto (International Affairs), Dean Takatoshi Nakamura of the Faculty of Art and Regional Design, and Professor Nobuo Mishima of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Since 2015, the two universities have maintained student exchange activities centered on engineering. More recently, they have collaborated on practical disaster-related research, including the development of evacuation guidance icons and educational picture books. In his welcome remarks, President Node praised these initiatives as a strong example of the University’s Vision 2040, “Opening the Future with Practical Wisdom.”
During the meeting, President Sabdenaliyev highlighted the importance of cooperation with Saga University in support of Kazakhstan’s national goals and proposed expanding collaboration through initiatives such as joint-degree programs and faculty exchanges. President Node expressed his desire to strengthen ties with Central Asia and to broaden collaboration beyond engineering, particularly through interdisciplinary activities that combine disaster prevention and design.
The visit concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photograph, marking another step forward in the partnership between the two institutions.
Following the courtesy visit, the delegation toured the Department of Civil Engineering, guided by Professor Mishima, who has played a key role in the partnership and in supporting KazGASA exchange students over many years. Faculty members introduced their research in concrete engineering, hydraulics, geotechnical engineering, architectural conservation, and community planning.
Discussions focused on disaster resilience, seismic safety, flood-risk management, and the preservation of historic townscapes. Given the shared challenges faced by earthquake-prone regions in both countries, participants exchanged research expertise and explored opportunities for future joint projects.
Associate Professor Tomo Higashide of the Center for Promotion of International Exchange also joined discussions on student mobility and educational cooperation. Topics included expanding exchange opportunities, developing phased programs combining short-term workshops and hybrid learning, strengthening financial support for international students, and promoting broader university-wide collaboration through a future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The visit is expected to further expand academic and educational cooperation between Saga University and KazGASA.
【Contact】
Head of Office for International Planning, Saga University
TEL: 0952-28-8166
Email: kokusai@mail.admin.saga-u.ac.jp