Information Seminar on Academic Mobility at the University of Tsukuba Held at the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences

On September 28, 2026, the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted an information seminar entitled “Academic Mobility — University of Tsukuba, Japan.”
The event was organized for undergraduate students interested in studying abroad and participating in international academic mobility programs.

The seminar speakers were Assel S. Abdullayeva, PhD, Research Associate Professor at the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, and Olzhas Y. Duissenbiyev, a fourth-year student who had previously studied at the University of Tsukuba under an academic exchange program.
During the first part of the seminar, Assel Abdullayeva introduced students to academic mobility opportunities at the University of Tsukuba, one of Japan’s national research universities, and explained the main stages of participation in the exchange program. Particular attention was paid to university nomination procedures, preparation of the required documents, use of the online application system, and subsequent processing of the Certificate of Eligibility. 

Participants were also informed about the relevant application deadlines. In particular, for students planning to begin their studies in April 2027, the university nomination period is scheduled for September 1–30, 2026, while the deadline for submitting the online application is October 10, 2026. For students planning to start their studies in October 2027, the corresponding application stages are scheduled for February–March 2027. 
The seminar also covered the main eligibility requirements, preparation of the study plan, possible credit recognition upon returning to KazNU, as well as the differences between the Exchange Student and Exchange Research Student categories. The program allows students to study at the University of Tsukuba for one or two semesters, with coursework being the main focus for exchange students. 
A separate part of the seminar was devoted to financial matters. Students learned about the possibility of applying for a JASSO scholarship, the relevant eligibility criteria, and the importance of planning personal expenses in advance. It was emphasized that even strong academic performance does not automatically guarantee receipt of the scholarship. 

The practical part of the seminar was presented by Olzhas Duissenbiyev, who shared his personal experience of studying at the University of Tsukuba under the Academic Exchange Program from April to August 2026. 
He described his own application journey, including searching for a suitable program, preparing a Study Plan, selecting courses, obtaining university nomination, and submitting the required documents. He also highlighted the importance of English proficiency and academic performance. At the time of his application, his academic indicators were GPA 3.74/4.00 and IELTS 7.0. 
Students showed particular interest in the practical aspects of living in Japan. The speaker shared information about university accommodation, financial planning, and the JASSO scholarship. According to his presentation, the University of Tsukuba offers accommodation for international students, with monthly dormitory fees of approximately JPY 23,000–44,000, depending on the type of residence, while the JASSO scholarship may provide approximately JPY 80,000 per month if awarded. 
The seminar also addressed the main features of the Japanese academic system. Students select their own courses and build individual schedules, while assessment may include weekly assignments, reports, projects, presentations, tests, and final examinations. 
At the end of the meeting, students received practical recommendations on preparing for international programs: maintaining a strong GPA, improving their English proficiency, preparing for IELTS in advance, actively monitoring exchange opportunities offered by partner universities, and carefully following application deadlines. 

The seminar gave students an opportunity to obtain comprehensive information about participation in the University of Tsukuba academic mobility program, learn from the first-hand experience of a previous exchange participant, ask questions, and receive practical guidance on preparing for study in Japan.