The event was dedicated to the development of SUTE's international relations, cultural exchange, and the enhancement of educational programs in the culinary field.

Highly honored guests and representatives of partner organizations took part in the opening ceremony. Welcoming speeches were delivered by:

• Anatolii Mazaraki, Rector of SUTE, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation and expressed deep gratitude to the people of Japan for their unwavering support of Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
• His Excellency Ambassador Nakagome-sama, who highlighted the significance of cultural dialogue between Japan and Ukraine.
• Andrii Vitrenko, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, who highly praised the project as an important contribution to the development of the Ukrainian educational sphere.
• Mr. O. Hattori-san, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who noted that this course is part of JICA's efforts aimed at developing cooperation between Japanese enterprises and Ukrainian institutions.
• Ms. R. Tamaru-san, General Director of ABC Style (joining online from Japan), who welcomed the attendees and emphasized that the launch of the courses is an important milestone in the joint mission of promoting authentic Japanese culinary culture in Ukraine. She expressed confidence in the project's success and readiness for long-term cooperation.

The event was also attended by Ms. Olha Semenchuk, Deputy Director of the Department – Head of the Food Safety Management of the Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

The culmination of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the State University of Trade and Economics and the company ABC Style. This document lays a solid foundation for further fruitful cooperation in the educational and cultural spheres.

Special interest was generated by a demonstration dedicated to the Japanese culinary program, conducted by Ms. Larysa Barska, an ABC Style lecturer and a graduate of the State University of Trade and Economics. Participants had the opportunity to witness the art of preparing traditional Japanese dishes.

The State University of Trade and Economics expresses its endless and sincere gratitude to our dear partners – the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine, JICA, and ABC Style – for their invaluable support, shared belief in this project, and the warmth with which they contributed to its realization.

The launch of the "Japanese Cuisine Comes to Ukraine" courses is more than an educational project; it is a landmark step towards deepening the warm and friendly Ukrainian-Japanese relations, serving as a solid cultural bridge between our nations. This cooperation not only qualitatively enriches the University's educational process but also inspires our community to adopt unique Japanese experience, creating a powerful incentive for the development of intercultural competence and the implementation of innovations.

Tamara Kortukova,
Head of the International Relations Department