On November 5, 2025, the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE) hosted a significant reception for representatives of the "ABC-Style" company and the JICA.

To assess the university's potential and hold negotiations for joint projects, the delegation met directly with the SUTE management. The most significant outcome, marking a new chapter in this partnership, was the agreement to launch Japanese cuisine training at SUTE this year.

This educational initiative, which will be implemented with the support of JICA and the business expertise of "ABC-Style," aims to provide students with unique knowledge and practical skills. The courses will focus on the technologies of preparing traditional Japanese dishes and will meet high international standards. This will significantly strengthen the training of specialists for the HoReCa industry, where the demand for well-trained Japanese cuisine chefs is constantly growing. The initiative will also contribute to the integration of advanced Japanese experience and food culture into the Ukrainian educational space.

The vital connection was facilitated by Larysa BARSKA, a SUTE alumna who serves as the representative of "ABC-Style" in Ukraine.

The meeting with the university management was attended by the Rector of SUTE, Professor Anatolii MAZARAKI, the First Vice-Rector Nataliia PRYTULSKA, the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and International Relations Anzhelika GERASYMENKO, the Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Business Nadiia VEDMID, and the Head of the International Relations Office Tamara KORTUKOVA.

The Japanese side was represented by the Head of "ABC-Style" Hiroshi YOKOI, the Executive Director Makiko FUJIMOTO, the representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yuma OSADA, and the interpreter Olena NAKAI.

Following the negotiations, the guests familiarized themselves with the material and technical base of SUTE during a tour of the university. The visit concluded with a friendly coffee break, where the participants agreed on the details of the cooperation, which is an important step in strengthening international relations and implementing innovative educational programs enriched with global experience.

Tamara KORTUKOVA,
Head of the International Relations Department