During their visit to Japan, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, and Advisor – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on the Fund of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science, and Sports Olha Budnyk met with Professor Nobuhiko Bishu, President of Kobe Gakuin University.
The First Lady thanked the Japanese university for opening the Matsuguchi Tadashi Anniversary Ukraine Research Center last November – the first research center dedicated to Ukraine in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today, together with the university’s president, we have taken another step toward advancing Ukrainian studies in the region – this institution is the first in Japan to join the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies,” Olena Zelenska said.
The Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies is a state-led initiative of Ukraine, created to unite academic centers of Ukrainian studies around the world, promote interest in studying Ukraine, provide sources for exploring the truth about our country, and foster the exchange of expertise and academic knowledge.
“For centuries, Russia has invested significant resources into promoting its own version of history. Ukraine was often studied within the Russian context, using sources, materials, and ideas shaped by the Russian historical narrative. As a result, prominent Ukrainian figures, artists, and cultural achievements were frequently presented as part of Russian history and culture. Now we must defend our heritage and accomplishments,” the First Lady emphasized.
She noted that thanks to joint efforts, 14 universities from Finland, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Austria, Canada, Estonia, the Republic of Korea, and Italy have joined the Coalition over the past year. In total, more than 70 universities worldwide have expressed interest in becoming part of the initiative.
“I am grateful to Kobe Gakuin University and its scholars, who truly value not only knowledge but also human dignity and freedom of thought. The truth empowers all who are open to it,” Olena Zelenska concluded.