Istanbul Technical University hosted the 3rd Turkey-Uzbekistan Education Forum, which was designed to enhance educational collaboration between Turkey and Uzbekistan and to assess new initiatives.

Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Professor Dr. Adil Abdurrahmanov, Chief Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan and Rector of Tashkent State Transport University, and Professor Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, Rector of Atatürk University, were among the numerous rectors from both countries who attended the program.

YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar underscored the significant latent potential between the two countries during his speech at the forum. He also suggested that the number of students from Uzbekistan who come to Turkey could be increased. Özvar stated, "Our universities are currently enrolling 7,428 students from Uzbekistan." Business and medical disciplines are the departments with the highest concentration of these students. Furthermore, 17 academics from Uzbekistan are employed at Turkish universities. President Özvar announced the establishment of a Turkish-Uzbek University, stating that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of education will expand. He also noted that Turkey's academic experience will be shared with Uzbekistan in many fields, particularly engineering and informatics, and that this cooperation will deepen relations between the countries.

"We will conduct research that will emphasize the potential of the two countries."

Ataturk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, who attended the program, underscored in his evaluation that the educational collaboration between Turkey and Uzbekistan has been fortified by their historical and cultural connections. He stated, "It is a great honor for us to collaborate on higher education projects as two friendly and brotherly nations." We will conduct research that will emphasize the potential of the two nations. One of our primary objectives is to contribute to the field of science by conducting collaborative research, particularly in the areas of research and development.

Hacımüftüoğlu asserted that Atatürk University has executed numerous cooperation protocols with universities in Uzbekistan and that he is of the opinion that these forums will generate novel academic opportunities.

The Türkiye-Uzbekistan Education Forum was assessed as a critical stage in the development of collaborative projects and the expansion of student-academic exchange programs between higher education institutions in the two countries.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE – September 28, 2024