While visiting Uzbekistan, Dmitry Bespalov (Rector, NCFU) had a meeting with the management of the Samarkand State University discussing plans on expanding cooperation between the two institutions.

The NCFU delegation got a great welcome from Rustam Khalmuradov (Rector, Samarkand State University), and the two parties both discussed the achievements through the past year and went over the newly planned activities.

The two institutions already share numerous academic activities, with plans going even further – to launch more joint degree programs along with expanding academic mobility projects – currently three professors of Samarkand State University are working in NCFU, while the latter’s representatives are regularly invited to Uzbekistan to deliver lectures.

Other issues discussed at the meeting with Rustam Khalmuradov included joint research, establishing an international laboratory to study natural and socio-economic progress, and even tourism development.

Afterwards the NCFU delegation was taken around the University, namely, had a tour to the Archeology and Zoology Museums.

An important step forward in promoting the two parties’ cooperation is going to be a representative office established on the premises of Samarkand State University.

– Uzbekistan is one of our priority partners to promote our cooperation in the area of research and education, and Samarkand State University is a strategic partner of ours, so this is for a reason that it is the place where we are launching our first office abroad, – Mr. Bespalov was quoted as saying.

The major activities for the office will include work with potential applicants, joint degree programs and humanities projects, including the promotion of the Russian language in Uzbekistan.