GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” expands its international cooperation to the Far East by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for Computational Sciences of the University of Tsukuba, Japan.
At a special ceremony organized by the hosts in Japan, GATE Director Prof. Silvia Ilieva and Prof. Taisuke Boku, Director of the Centre for Computational Sciences at the University of Tsukuba signed the document.
“It is my pleasure and honour to be here in Japan. We are a new institute within a university with a rich history. The collaboration with the Centre for Computational Sciences, known for its talented researchers and strong infrastructure, will greatly enhance our ability to fulfil our mission of training the next generation of scientists in Big Data and AI.”, said Prof. Ilieva.
The two parties declared their willingness to cooperate in a wide range of activities related to scientific research, education and exchange of researchers and teaching staff. Special emphasis will be placed on the use of advanced technologies such as high-performance computing (HPC), big data and artificial intelligence, including digital twins and data spaces in order to reveal the complexity of urban ecosystems and develop innovative solutions for a better quality of life in cities.
“I am pleased that this marks the first Memorandum of Understanding between a Bulgarian institute and our centre. We are starting a new chapter of collaboration by opening the gate to our future work together. I understand that GATE is a focused institute with a mission to improve society. Working with Bulgaria offers excellent opportunities for us to collaborate effectively.”, said Prof. Boku.
The partners’ joint scientific initiatives will cover issues such as urban climate, urban heat islands, air pollution, resilience, disasters and urban lifestyles. Joint educational programs and seminars will facilitate the dissemination of knowledge, promoting professional growth and intercontinental exchange. Additionally, the agreement opens doors for Bulgarian researchers and students to collaborate with the University of Tsukuba, providing an opportunity for academic and cultural exchange. Student exchange programs will facilitate the transfer of expertise and talent between Bulgaria and Japan. The partnership with the Centre for Computational Sciences of the University of Tsukuba not only emphasizes GATE’s aspiration to work with the best, but also positions the Institute as an ambassador of Bulgarian science on the world stage.
The official ceremony was followed by a joint workshop where each of the partners presented their achievements in the main areas of scientific and technological cooperation.
The University of Tsukuba is a national research university, has 28 clusters of colleges and schools with about 16,500 students. The main campus covers an area of 258 hectares, making it the second largest single campus in Japan.