Important visit to Uzbekistan
November 13–21 prof. Aleksander Sładkowski visited Uzbekistan. The objectives of this visit were to visit several Uzbek universities and expand cooperation with them in the field of education and science. After the flight to Tashkent, the first place to visit was Samarkand. In this historical city, the Uzbek side organized the Second Forum of Rectors of Uzbek and Turkish Universities. The first forum took place last summer in Izmir (Turkey). The organizer of this event on behalf of the leadership of Uzbekistan was the Tashkent State Transport University (TSTU).
Rector of TSTU, prof. Odil Abdurakhmanov, Chairman of the Republican Council of Higher Education of Uzbekistan, opens the Forum
Prof. A. Sładkowski was invited to this important event by the organizers of the Forum. The most significant events, namely discussions with colleagues, signing cooperation agreements, etc., took place in the lobby of the five-star Movenpick Hotel Samarkand. Here is prof. A. Sładkowski held negotiations on cooperation with the rector of the TSTU, prof. Odil Abdurakhmanov, vice-rector of this university, prof. Bakhodir Turaev, dr. Meryem Karlik, head of the International Cooperation Department. Meetings took place with the heads of other universities in Uzbekistan and Turkey and a fruitful discussion of the possibilities of establishing cooperation between the Silesian University of Technology (SUT) and these universities. These universities are located in Tashkent, Ankara, Samarkand, Fergana, Bukhara, Nukus, Navoi, and some other cities.
Meeting on the sidelines of the Forum with heads of Uzbek universities. On the left is dr. Sławomir Wróblewski, on the right is dr. Maksudzhon Khazratkulov
In the evening, a gala dinner and concert were organized for the guests of the Forum in Samarkand-City, where outstanding artists of the Uzbek stage were invited.
Some Forum participants before the start of the gala dinner in Samarkand-City
Performances by artists during the gala concert
The next point of the business trip was the city of Navoi. This is a relatively young city that appeared on the map in 1957. The city-forming enterprise is the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combinat. This is the largest enterprise in Uzbekistan, thanks to its activities, it transfers financial resources to the state, which amounts to up to 20% of the total budget of the republic. Its “training ground” is Navoi State University of Mining and Technologies (NSUMT). During a visit to Navoi, prof. A. Sładkowski met with the leadership of this university, visited its educational and laboratory base, and ways of cooperation were outlined, including the signing of a number of agreements between universities.
Meeting with the rector of the NSUMT, prof. Bakhtiyor Mardonov (right)
Visit to NSUMT laboratories. Training simulator of a mining excavator
Another reason for visiting Navoi was participation in the IV International Conference “Integrated Innovative Development of Zarafshan Region: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects” dedicated to the 65th Anniversary of Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Company. As a member of the Presidium of the Conference Program Committee, prof. A. Sładkowski took part in the meetings and also made a report at the plenary session “Development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Poland in the field of higher education.” In addition to numerous representatives of Uzbek universities and enterprises, specialists from Chile, Turkey, Russia and Poland took part in the conference.
Meetings of the Conference “Integrated Innovative Development of Zarafshan Region: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects”, speeches by foreign guests
Members of the Presidium of the Conference Program Committee during the plenary session
The next city visited by prof. A. Sładkowski was Andijan. The key university in this region is the Andijan Machine-Building Institute (AndMI). SUT signed a cooperation agreement (MoU) with this institute back in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic affected this cooperation, which, despite some positive aspects, developed insufficiently. This visit was supposed to help intensify contacts. Prof. A. Sładkowski met with the rector of the institute, prof. Umid Turdialiev, with heads of faculties, departments, and teachers of the institute. Paths for further cooperation have been outlined, which include the exchange of teachers and students.
Meeting with the head of the Department of Transport Logistics AndMI dr. Murodali Nurdinov
This was A. Sładkowski’s first visit to the Fergana Valley, so the visit to local attractions offered by Uzbek colleagues was accepted with gratitude.
Visiting Babur Park in Andijan with colleagues from AndMI: senior lecturer Mansurkhon Shukurov (right) and doctoral student Sardor Ulkanov (left)
The last destination was the capital of Uzbekistan, where prof. A. Sładkowski visited TSTU. Since meetings with the leadership of this university took place earlier in Samarkand and due to the limited time of the visit, the number of events in Tashkent was minimal. However, prof. A. Sładkowski visited the Faculty of Automotive Road Engineering, meeting with its dean prof. Aslidin Urokov and the staff of this faculty, as well as the Department of International Cooperation of TSTU.
Meeting with the dean of the Faculty of Automotive Road Engineering, prof. Aslidin Urokov (second from right) and TSTU teachers
Meeting with dr. Meryem Karlik, head of the Department of International Cooperation at TSTU