Uzbekistan and Latvia Discuss Joint Educational Programs

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — As part of the first Uzbekistan–Latvia Educational Forum, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Kongirotboy Sharipov, held a meeting with Latvia’s Minister of Education, Dace Melbārde.

The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in higher education, science, and innovation, noting that in recent years collaboration between the two countries has been actively developing not only in the economic sphere but also in education and science.

During the dialogue, the organization of joint educational programs between universities in Latvia and Uzbekistan was identified as a priority area of cooperation.

Minister Kongirotboy Sharipov proposed several initiatives, including accelerating the development of joint STEM programs, creating opportunities for Uzbek students to undertake internships and practical training at Latvian enterprises, organizing competitions for joint scientific projects on priority topics (food security, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy), expanding academic exchanges under the Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programs, and exploring the possibility of an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual recognition of diplomas and qualifications.

In turn, Latvia’s Minister of Education, Dace Melbārde, expressed readiness to consider the proposed initiatives and confidence that they will lead to concrete practical results.