Russia — Uzbekistan: ASU Keeps Developing Educational Friendship

Astrakhan State University has welcomed Gayrat Urazboev, the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of Urgench State University. The representative of the foreign partner university was shown the ASU laboratories and lecture rooms and met with the university administration.

The parties started their friendship last year, when during the Russian-Uzbek educational forum in Tashkent they signed an agreement and developed an initial roadmap. Dr. Uzarboev’s visit to Astrakhan State University is primarily aimed at finding new common areas of interest in science and education. For this purpose, the guest met with Konstantin Markelov, the university Acting Rector, with heads of the ASU faculties and departments, researchers and staff members. The event was also attended by Bakhodir Aminov, the President of the Astrakhan regional public organization of the Uzbek culture «Uzbekiston».

Dr. Uzarboev expressed full readiness of Urgench State University to get involved into current projects and propose their own ones. He highly appreciated a warm welcome at Astrakhan State University, and, having seen the university material and technical infrastructure, he made a positive conclusion on the potential and possibilities of joint work.

There are a lot of topical issues to discuss. The top-priority issue is teaching Russian to Uzbek students. A lot of Uzbekistan HEIs, including Urgench State University, have difficulties with that, so ASU is ready to act as an educational partner. Besides, Astrakhan State University runs efficient programmes on teaching Russian as a foreign language.

The foreign university also focuses on digitalization, IT technologies, development of new high-tech spheres with regard to modern challenges. The guest got very interested in agro-mechatronics in general and projects on developing digital farming.

During the meeting, the parties outlined a wide range of joint topics and, which is notable, they aspire to practical steps. The two universities are fully ready to create new links between specialists and implement their ideas. There is a lot of work ahead, and the goals are quite grand: there is a good chance that ASU will establish its branch in Uzbekistan — at least the representative of Urgench State University expressed his determination to this course of events.