A ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of academic exchange between Tokushima University and Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS), one of our academic exchange partner universities, was held in Mongolia. A delegation from Tokushima University, led by President Kawamura Yasuhiko, participated in the event, which provided an opportunity to reaffirm the two universities’ 20-year history of collaboration in education and research.

During the visit, on June 5th, 2026 (local time), President Kawamura was awarded the “Medal of Friendship” by decree of H.E. Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, President of Mongolia. The medal was presented by Advisor to the President Nyamdavaa Khurelbaatar.

This honor recognizes not only President Kawamura’s contributions to strengthening friendly relations between Mongolia and Japan, but also the significant achievements made through two decades of academic exchange, human resource development, and joint research between MNUMS and Tokushima University.

Beginning with the inter-faculty agreement between the two universities’ Faculties of Medicine in 2005, the partnership has expanded to include the Faculties of Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, eventually developing into a university-wide agreement. The collaboration has continued to deepen through initiatives such as the SATREPS project on infectious disease research and medical human resource development, the acceptance of students from Mongolia, and the implementation of double degree programs. President Kawamura has played a central role in building and advancing this long-standing cooperative relationship.

The Medal of Friendship is one of Mongolia’s national honors, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of friendly and cooperative relations between Mongolia and other countries. This award also reflects the high regard at the national level for the trust and friendship that have been cultivated between the two universities.

Encouraged by this recognition, Tokushima University will continue to further strengthen its collaboration with MNUMS and contribute to the international community through education, research, and healthcare.

President Kawamura receiving the "Medal of Friendship" from Advisor to the President Khrelbaatar (left)

(from left) President Damdindorj(MNUMS), State Secretary T. Nyam-Ochir, Advisor to the President Khrelbaatar,
President Kawamura, State Secretary Erdenebayar, Vice President Bilegtsaikhan(MNUMS)