2026/4/27

On March 4, 2026, the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) University Museum of International Cultures and the Republic of Uzbekistan's Ichan Kala State Museum-Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) signed a memorandum on mutual cooperation.
Since 2017, KUFS has pursued field museum activities within the Museum-Reserve, which is Uzbekistan's first World Heritage Site, with the aim of promoting sustainable development.
KUFS signed the recent memorandum of cooperation for purposes of building stronger ties of cooperation and a joint projects framework with Museum-Reserve operators, while also driving further advances in both the areas of research and education.

■ Overview of the Memorandum
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the University Museum of International Cultures (managed by the International Research Institute for Studies in Language and Peace) and the Ichan Kala State Museum-Reserve.
It primary goals are as follows.
　Research and education: world heritage studies and research on the Museum-Reserve as a whole
　Preservation and utilization: cooperative endeavors toward preservation of historical structures, opening them for public visits/viewing, and their utilization
　Research exchanges: mutual exchanged and education among field specialists, curators and researchers
　Joint projects and activities: joint research projects, exhibitions and seminars

■ Future Plans
Through the joint projects framework established via the memorandum, both parties will work to solve urgent water-related problems. Currently, Ichan Kala faces water problems such as receding groundwater levels and salt damage, which have serious negative effects on traditional structures in the city. Efforts will be undertaken solve these.
Planned measures and activities are as follows:
　・Establishment of the Traditional Structures Guidance Room in collaboration with the Museum-Reserve
　・Proposal of a "Caravanserai Museum" operated primarily by local residents
　・Implementation of "Creating Historical Structure Medical Charts" activities, which will allow participation by tourists

In addition to the University Museum of International Cultures, project participants include the Departments of Japanese and Russian Studies (Faculty of Foreign Studies) and Department of Global Tourism (Faculty of Global Engagement) at KUFS as part of school-wide international exchange activities.

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