Recently, at the invitation of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Education and other departments, Director Zhang Minxuan, Deputy Director Hu Guoyong, Professor Ning Bo (Vice Dean of the School of Education and Director of the Belt and Road Initiative Advanced Education Training Program), and Associate Professor Zhang Huafeng (part-time Deputy Director) from the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre (hereinafter referred to as the Centre) visited multiple departments and institutions in Uzbekistan to conduct discussions on cooperation in teacher education, joint research, personnel exchanges, and other areas.
On the morning of the 26th, at Uzbekistan's Ministry of Preschool Education and Schooling, the Centre's delegation held talks with heads of the Teacher Affairs Department, International Affairs Department, as well as directors of the National Institute of Education and National Institute of Teacher Education. The Uzbek side introduced the overall situation of education and teachers in Uzbekistan, reform measures and challenges in the field of education, particularly teacher education, and invited the Centre to participate in the National Teachers' Congress to be held in November. Director Zhang Minxuan introduced the Centre's mission and functions, various ongoing international training programs, and put forward suggestions on Uzbekistan's application for a Category Ⅱ UNESCO Institute. Both sides also discussed the establishment of a joint research center in Central Asia and the dispatch of experts to Uzbekistan for technical support.
The TEC presents souvenirs to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Education
On the afternoon of the 26th, the Centre's delegation visited the Scientific and Methodological Centre for Educational Development of Uzbekistan. Affiliated with the Office of the President, this centre is dedicated to research and practice in national curriculum reform, educational evaluation, and other fields, with a particular focus on STEM education recently. The Centre's delegation held talks with Executive Director Yuliya Risyukova and heads of various departments. Director Zhang Minxuan introduced the Centre, discussed the deepening of the Skilled teachers, Skilled nations project in four Central Asian countries, invited the Uzbek side to participate in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative Advanced Education Training Program, and extended an invitation to young Uzbek teachers to pursue doctoral degrees at the Centre. Both sides also discussed the signing of a cooperation memorandum. The Uzbek side covered the visit in a report.
Talks between the two sides
The Uzbek side produced a video report on the visitOn the 28th, the Centre's delegation visited the Samarkand Educational Skills Centre in Uzbekistan and held talks with its Deputy Director, heads of various departments, and teacher representatives. Director Zhang Minxuan introduced the Centre and invited the Samarkand centre to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative Teacher Training Program hosted by the Centre. The Uzbek side expressed willingness to participate and conducted in-depth exchanges on inviting teachers from the Centre to give lectures.
The TEC's delegation visits the Samarkand Educational Skills Centre
On the morning of the 30th, the Centre's delegation visited New Uzbekistan University. Established in 2021 at the initiative of President Mirziyoyev, the university is a flagship project of Uzbekistan to build a world-class university. Bakhtiyor Yuldashev, Vice Rector for Research, along with heads of the Research and Strategic Planning Department and International Cooperation Department, attended the meeting. The Uzbek side introduced the university's long-term goals, international faculty, and teaching initiatives, and invited the Centre to participate in the Central Asian Education Congress in October, which will be attended by the President in person. Professor Zhang Minxuan introduced the Centre's overview and put forward suggestions on cooperation in faculty, research, and teaching in secondary education majors (mathematics and computer science).
Group photo of the Centre's delegation and representatives from New Uzbekistan University
Central Asia is a key pivot and core region for the Belt and Road Initiative. This visit to Uzbekistan has effectively promoted multi-faceted cooperation in education between the Centre and Uzbekistan. It is not only an important measure for the Centre to implement the Ministry of Education's Action Plan for Promoting Belt and Road Educational Cooperation but also helps to jointly advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals in education.
Text and Photography: UNESCO Teacher Education Centre
