Launches the project to adopt Japanese-style Academic Achievement Test in Uzbekistan　～KEI Advanced's business proposal adopted as JICAs' " SDGs Business Supporting Surveys "～

KEI Advanced, Inc (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter, KEI ) has applied to Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereinafter JICA) with the project of improving academic ability and developing human resources in Uzbekistan by adopting Japanese-style Academic Achievement Test Model. It was approved as Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector in "the 2nd SDGs Business Supporting Surveys" in 2020. Today we are pleased to announce that we have signed a contract with JICA.

"SDGs Business Supporting Surveys" are designed to support the matching process of solving developmental issues that exist in developing countries with the excellent products and technologies of Japanese private companies. This scheme aims to address local development challenges in developing countries and the overseas expansion of Japanese companies.

■Necessity of improving education based on the results of the national Academic Achievement Test

The Republic of Uzbekistan, where KEI will implement the project, has the largest population (33.5 million) in Central Asia and 42% of them are under the age of 24. In this country, the number of National university examinees in 2020 has exceeded 1.2 million and the need for educational service is increasing. In addition, the government is aiming to achieve a top 30 ranking in mathematical literacy in PISA by 2030. Thus, the momentum for raising academic ability is increasing throughout the country.

However, there are no public / private academic achievement tests for secondary education in the country at this time. Students take a university entrance examination without knowing their own academic achievement level and they understand their academic level only after they undergo the entrance examination. In addition, due to the lack of a unified and cross-sectional academic achievement tests, the government cannot measure and analyze academic achievement levels among regions and schools. Combined with the necessity to improve teachers' skills and school education system,there is an urgent need to solve these challenges.

■Japanese-style Academic Achievement Test contributes to the development in developing countries

In consideration of this situation, KEI will conduct Business Verification Survey Project to adopt the model of Academic Achievement Test in mathematics focusing on Tashkent, the capital of the country. KEI will supervise and manage the project and Hapiral Test Solutions Co., Ltd., which also belongs to Kawaijuku Group, will support us with the expertise of preparing tests' contents, test management, post test result analysis and study guidance. We aim to establish and spread the Japanese-style Academic Achievement Test by making full use of the Kawaijuku Group's know-how known as "general mock exam", which is taken by 3 million people annually.

We will provide feedback from the test resultsnot only to students and parents but also to Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter MoPE). We plan to suggest B to G measures such as the proposals for measures to improve education. Starting with the test, this will lead to the dissemination of the Japanese-style Education Ecosystem.In particular, Japanese-style academic achievement tests such as the "general mock exam" are suitable for raising academic ability in the country because they emphasize the analysis of test results (individual / school unit) and the habit of learning by reviewing compared to overseas tests such as English qualification tests.
Through this project, KEI will contribute to the improvement of academic ability and human resource development in the Republic of Uzbekistan and spread Japanese-style Education Ecosystem in the country starting with Academic Achievement Test. Also, we will make an effort to revitalize the economies of both countries, strengthen bilateral relations, and achieve the SDGs.

【Project Summary】

1.Target country・Target area	the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the focus on the capital city, Tashkent
2.Project Overview	Business Verification Survey regarding the adoption of Japanese-style Academic Achievement Test Model (mathematics). After the project, we will examine world-class academic achievement evaluation criteria through Academic Achievement Test conducted in private business. Then, we aim to raise the academic ability of the country by improving the motivation to study and university entrance rate with the efficient guidance to each student. Moreover, we will contribute to economic development by developing human resources.
3.SDGs Goals which we aim to contribute through this project	④Education：Grasp academic ability in compulsory education and solve issues in academic ability by academic achievement survey at the national level. ⑧Decent Work and Economic Growth：To revitalize the economy and develop business by raising the level of education in urban and rural areas. ➉Reduce Inequalities：Visualization and the correction of disparity by grasping the academic ability in communities, schools and grades through the test implementation
4.Project Period(expected)	August, 2021 to November, 2023（2 years and 3 months）

－ Inquiries and media requests for the press－ KEI Advanced, Inc　 Department of Business Development for HigherEducation 【TEL】03-5276-2731 【E-mail】jica.uz.project@keiadvanced.jp 【Opening hours】9:00～18:00（Excluding weekends and holidays and New Year holidays）