New University for Turkic World Established
April 7, 2025
Following the Türkiye-Azerbaijan University, “International University of
Turkic States”, a new university for the Turkic World, started its
activities in Uzbekistan.
The memorandum of understanding between the Councils of Higher Education of
Türkiye and Uzbekistan regarding the establishment of the International
University of Turkic States in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, was
signed by CoHE President Erol Özvar.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at CoHE, CoHE President Erol Özvar
said, “Today we are witnessing a historic day. We will take a concrete step
in higher education between Türkiye and Uzbekistan. In the historical
relations between the two countries, which stem from our common and ancient
culture, higher education is attributed great importance by both sides.”
Özvar reminded that within the framework of the joint will of President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, works on the
establishment of a joint university with Uzbekistan have been ongoing for
some time, and added: “With President Mirziyovev's decree on the
establishment of the International University of Turkic States in Tashkent
on January 25, 2025, the legal basis for the realization of this common
vision has been established in Uzbekistan.”
He said that the preparations of the relevant Turkish universities have
been completed for the university and emphasized that the Council of Higher
Education is ready to provide its support.
“Our aim is to raise generations that will have a global voice”
Özvar said that the main purpose of the International University of Turkic
States is to train the qualified human resources needed by both countries,
to train generations that will have a say in the field of science and
technology on a regional and global scale, and to increase cultural and
academic exchange. “The university will make great contributions to the
future of both countries by bringing together the knowledge and experience
of Türkiye and Uzbekistan. In addition to contributing to the upbringing of
qualified young generations, it will also increase the global
competitiveness of both countries by developing pioneering projects in
scientific research and innovation.”
“Leading Turkish universities will provide education”
Stating that the International University of Turkic States will be an
“umbrella university”, Özvar said, “The university will provide education
at international standards by implementing joint education programs with
Türkiye's leading higher education institutions. In the first phase, it
will start its activities with engineering, informatics, health and
agriculture programs to be carried out by Istanbul Technical University,
Middle East Technical University, Hacettepe University and Ege University.”
“It will provide student and academic mobility in a wide region”
Stating that the International University of Turkic States will be an
important higher education institution for the Turkic world, Özvar said
that the university will provide student and academic mobility in the
Turkic world. “The students who will graduate from joint education programs
will have the knowledge to be employed in different countries in the Turkic
world, thus strengthening the interaction of human resources in this
region,” he added.
“We will encourage our universities to improve relations”
Stating that CoHE is ready to work together to realize the common goals of
Türkiye and Uzbekistan,Özvar said: “I believe that we will
further strengthen our countries in the field of higher education and bring
them to a more qualified position in the international environment. We will
continue to encourage and support all our universities to improve relations
between Türkiye and Uzbekistan.”
The signing ceremony held at the Council of Higher Education was attended
by Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, Odil
Abdurakhmanov, Head of the Social Development Department of the
Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan and President of the Council of
Higher Education, as well as CoHE Executive Board members, rectors of
relevant universities and representatives of relevant institutions of
Uzbekistan.