On October 4, 2025, within the framework of the GATE Academic Days at the Bulgarian Pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025, the Institute for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" signed two cooperation agreements with the prestigious Japanese universities University of Tsukuba and Kwansei Gakuin University.
These agreements mark an important step in the development of the academic and scientific partnership between Bulgaria and Japan, building a foundation for joint research and knowledge exchange in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, sustainable cities and digital healthcare.
The signing took place in the context of intensive contacts between the two countries, building on the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Bulgaria and Japan, signed on May 20, 2025 in Tokyo by President Rumen Radev and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. In it, cooperation in the development of science and innovation is defined as one of the key pillars of bilateral relations – a vision that GATE and its Japanese partners are already implementing in practice.
“This event is a symbol of a shared vision and trust between our institutions and between our two nations. Together we are building the path to more sustainable, digital and adaptive cities of the future,” emphasized the Director of GATE, Prof. Dr. Silvia Ilieva, during the ceremonies.
GATE Institute had the high honor of being represented on site by the Bulgarian Ambassador to Japan, Ms. Marieta Arabadzhieva.
The event brought together academics, diplomats and guests from both countries, who had the opportunity to learn about the research areas of GATE and its partner universities, as well as their joint plans for the development of innovative scientific projects and academic exchange.
The partnership with the University of Tsukuba will build on the already established cooperation between the two institutions, focused on modeling, artificial intelligence, climate research and digital healthcare, while the agreement with Kwansei Gakuin University lays the foundations for new initiatives in the field of urban planning and smart infrastructure.
The two ceremonies within the framework of the GATE Academic Days at Osaka Expo 2025 are further evidence of the Institute's aspiration to build international partnerships of strategic importance and to consolidate Bulgaria's place on the map of global scientific and technological innovations.