Negotiations on Uzbek university relations

There have been two meetings held recently with the aim of expanding cooperation between the University of Debrecen and Uzbek institutions of higher education. The agenda of these meetings included the discussion of the possibilities of establishing new institutional relationships, launching language courses and implementing mobility ideas.

As of late, Rector Zoltán Szilvássy and Director of Coordination and Strategy Okszána Kiszil have conducted online discussions with Shokhruz Samadov, a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as with the head of the political, cultural and humanitarian section of the Uzbek Embassy to Hungary in Budapest.

During the course of this online meeting, the Uzbek participants were given an overview of the extensive international network of the University of Debrecen, with particular emphasis on cooperation with universities in Uzbekistan. In turn, the representatives of the ministry also raised the possibility of establishing a Debrecen university campus in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, as a further potential opportunity.

Shokhruz Samadov, who is also the first secretary of the Uzbek Embassy, paid a visit to the University of Debrecen in person a few days later. Together with several colleagues from the consulate, he visited the University and National Library, viewed its Uzbek-language collection and publications, and then outlined new opportunities for cooperation during talks with Rector Zoltán Szilvássy and Director for Coordination and Strategy Okszána Kiszil, conducted in the unique Central Asian community space of our institution, called Turkic Corner.

Among other things, the members of the delegation discussed the potential launching of Uzbek language courses and introducing student mobility projects through an Uzbek national talent development program, which could increase the number of Uzbek students enrolled at the University of Debrecen. Currently, there are 67 students pursuing their studies here, whose the largest number is present at the Faculty of Informatics, the Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Shokhruz Samadov urged an expansion of the existing bilateral institutional partnerships and offered his assistance in establishing contacts between the University of Debrecen and Uzbek institutions of higher education, such as the State Medical University.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue discussions on education, science and industrial relations in the future, following which the members of the delegation met with Uzbek students studying at the University of Debrecen.