CoHE President Özvar: “International University of Turkic States was
established in Uzbekistan”
January 31, 2025 / Istanbul
Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, announced that
the two-year effort to establish a joint university between Türkiye and
Uzbekistan has successfully concluded. He stated, “With the will and
determination of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the ‘International
University of Turkic States’ will be opened in Uzbekistan.”
Speaking at the “Regional Meeting on Turkish Higher Education Vision
Towards 2030” at Istanbul Medeniyet University, Özvar shared that Uzbek
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has issued a decree for the establishment of
the university in Tashkent. “Our discussions with Uzbek authorities have
reached a positive outcome, and as of today, the university has officially
been established. I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed,” he
said.
Özvar explained that the university was established through a memorandum of
understanding between the Council of Higher Education and Uzbekistan’s
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation. He continued:
“Türkiye-Azerbaijan University, which was established in Azerbaijan based
entirely on a model created by Türkiye, has also been adopted by
Uzbekistan. Following this model, the International University of Turkic
States has been established.
In the initial phase, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Middle East
Technical University (METU), Hacettepe University, and Ege University will
launch programs and departments under this university. A large campus has
been allocated, and its buildings are already prepared. The university will
start education in Tashkent this year. In the coming years, we plan to
expand the number of universities in both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.”
Özvar also noted that the programs of the Health Sciences University in
Uzbekistan are progressing as planned.
The International University of Turkic States will follow the academic
curricula of Turkish higher education institutions and will offer education
in line with international standards. The university will provide programs
in various fields, including engineering, construction, logistics,
information technologies, healthcare, agriculture, food engineering, as
well as economic and social sciences.
Education at the university will be based on joint programs in
collaboration with leading higher education institutions, particularly
those in Türkiye. Scholarships will be available for students from both
member and observer countries of the Organization of Turkic States.
Graduates will receive diplomas from both the university and its partner
foreign higher education institution. Additionally, a board of directors
will be established to oversee the university’s development and operations.
"Talks Are Also Ongoing with Turkmenistan"
Özvar emphasized that the International University of Turkic States will
serve the entire Turkic world, stating, “We are in discussions with
Turkmenistan. Our goal is to expand our universities there with a similar
approach.”
He continued, “We will keep sharing Türkiye’s expertise and high standards
in higher education with the world. With this vision, the Council of Higher
Education and our universities are preparing for the future with even
greater confidence.”