Japanese

On July 2, 2026, Executive Vice President (Global Initiatives) Shinji Kaneko of Hiroshima University (HU), visited Mongolia's Ministry of Education, where he met with representatives of the Ministry and the Education Loan Fund (ELF). He also attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Education Loan Fund and HU concerning Mongolia's Presidential Scholarship Program, "ILGEELT-2100."

The MOU was signed on behalf of the Education Loan Fund by Zokhikhsuren Purev, Acting Executive Director. Executive Vice President Kaneko attended the signing on behalf of HU, marking the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the two institutions. Acting Executive Director Purev played a central role in facilitating the conclusion of the MOU between the Education Loan Fund and HU.

The signing ceremony and subsequent discussions were also attended by Lodoiravsal Choimaa, Education, Science and Technology Policy Advisor to the President of Mongolia; Enkhbayar Baatartsol of the External Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education; and other representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Education Loan Fund.

ILGEELT-2100 is a four-year-and-nine-month scholarship program administered by the Office of the President of Mongolia. The program aims to develop highly skilled professionals who will contribute to Mongolia's future by providing outstanding high school graduates with opportunities to study at leading universities around the world. To date, more than 756 students have enrolled at universities in 18 countries, while 315 students studied in preparatory programs at the National University of Mongolia and the Mongolian University of Science and Technology during the 2024–2025 academic year. The program is a major national initiative with a strong emphasis on developing highly skilled professionals in science and technology, as demonstrated by the fact that 86% of the 2023 participants went on to pursue studies in engineering and technology-related fields.

As a host university under the program, HU has welcomed 22 students in its inaugural cohort. Selected from across Mongolia, the students are first-year undergraduates at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. Beginning in July 2026, they will spend nine months at HU as Special Auditing Students at the Morito Institute of Global Higher Education, taking courses in Japanese language, Japanese culture, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and other subjects. They will subsequently take HU’s undergraduate entrance examination, and those who are admitted are expected to enroll as regular undergraduate students in April 2027.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on the smooth implementation of the program, Mongolia's higher education policy, the development of globally minded human resources, and future student exchanges. Executive Vice President Kaneko expressed his hope that the program would not only contribute to the development of the participating students but also serve as an opportunity to further advance educational and research exchanges between Japan and Mongolia.

Students participating in the program are required to return to Mongolia after graduation and work in the country for five years in accordance with Mongolia's long-term development policy, "Vision 2050." Drawing on the knowledge, skills, and experience gained at HU, they are expected to contribute to Mongolia's sustainable development and to play an active role in strengthening the bonds of friendship between Japan and Mongolia.

HU will continue to deepen its cooperation with the Government of Mongolia, the Education Loan Fund, and other relevant institutions, contributing to the development of globally minded human resources who will lead the next generation and to the further advancement of educational and research exchanges between Japan and Mongolia.