Uzbekistan, Türkiye Deepen Higher Education Ties

Synopsis:  Uzbekistan and Türkiye strengthen higher education cooperation through joint degree programmes, research projects, academic mobility, and innovation partnerships across AI, medicine, engineering, and biotechnology sectors.

Uzbekistan and Türkiye are intensifying bilateral cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and innovation through a series of new academic and institutional initiatives. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Kungratbay Sharipov, recently held discussions with a Turkish delegation led by Erol Arcaklioglu, a member of the Executive Committee of Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education, to review ongoing collaborations and explore future partnerships.

The meeting follows the 4th Uzbekistan–Türkiye Rectors Forum held in Bukhara, which brings together more than 50 university rectors from both countries. The forum results in the signing of over 50 cooperation agreements and memorandums between higher education institutions, reflecting growing academic engagement between Uzbekistan and Türkiye.

Officials highlight that four Uzbek universities and two Turkish universities are currently operating six joint undergraduate programmes. These programmes are expected to enrol 718 students during the 2025–2026 academic years, demonstrating increasing student participation in cross-border education initiatives.

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Academic and scientific exchange also remains a major area of collaboration. Over the past five years, the two countries have exchanged nearly 300 professors and researchers while jointly organising 45 scientific conferences. Authorities state that these initiatives strengthen research networks, knowledge sharing, and institutional partnerships.

The discussions further focus on several strategic educational projects involving Turkish institutions in Uzbekistan. These include plans to establish a branch campus of TOBB University of Economics and Technology, the launch of a Turkish Medical Faculty at Bukhara State Medical Institute, and the development of an innovation technopark in partnership with Yildiz Technical University.

Both sides also review the recently established International University of Turkic States, which is created under a presidential resolution issued by Uzbekistan. The institution is expected to promote regional academic cooperation and interdisciplinary learning among Turkic nations.

Scientific cooperation emerges as another priority area during the meeting. More than 400 applications are submitted to joint research competitions organised in collaboration with Türkiye’s Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK), with 53 projects recommended for funding.

The two countries additionally discuss expanding cooperation in engineering, biotechnology, medicine, artificial intelligence, agriculture, construction, and water management. Plans for joint laboratories, startup ecosystems, university techno parks, and green campus initiatives are also explored as part of broader efforts to strengthen innovation-driven education and research partnerships.