The National University of Uzbekistan has taken another significant step toward strengthening ties with the global scientific community and enhancing its international reputation. By the decision of the Council of the National University of Uzbekistan (NUUz), Hiroshi Amano, a Nobel Laureate in Physics and a Designated Professor (Tokunin Professor) at Nagoya University, was awarded the title of “Honorary Professor”. To mark this occasion, a solemn award ceremony was held on May 26 this year at the Higashiyama campus of Nagoya University.
This prestigious title was presented in recognition of Professor Amano’s productive cooperation with NUUz and the high-level special lecture he delivered for the university’s young researchers in September 2024. The lecture had been organized following the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan during his visit to Nagoya University in 2019. The leadership of NUUz highly valued this scientific meeting, describing it as “a bright symbol of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Japan.”
A delegation led by Yokub Ergashov, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Innovations of the National University of Uzbekistan, attended the award ceremony. During the event, a warm congratulatory letter from the Rector of NUUz addressed to the Nobel Laureate was read out.
Expressing his immense gratitude to the NUUz community, Professor Hiroshi Amano noted his keen desire to visit Uzbekistan and his beloved National University of Uzbekistan again whenever the opportunity arises. He also emphasized his readiness to dedicate his knowledge and efforts to further strengthening the bridge of scientific cooperation between the two nations and their higher education institutions.
This formal event drew the attention of Japanese and international media outlets. In particular, the visit and the award ceremony were covered by “Yomiuri Shimbun”, one of Japan’s largest newspapers. For reference, the daily circulation of this influential newspaper, which is published twice a day (morning and evening editions), reaches 6 million copies. Its official website attracts an average of over 30 million visitors daily.
The coverage of this landmark event in the life of NUUz across an international media platform with such a massive audience demonstrates the continuous expansion of the university’s scientific and academic relations on a global scale.
