Exclusive Meeting for Educators of Zarafshan City!

Guided by this vision, the Uzbekistan–Finland Friendship Society has officially commenced its activities.
The establishment of the Society represents a natural continuation of more than three decades of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Finland, while marking a new stage in the development of public diplomacy between the two countries.

The Society aims to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Finland by expanding cooperation in education, research, innovation, culture, and public diplomacy. It also seeks to foster stronger connections among young people, scholars, researchers, and creative professionals through joint projects, academic conferences, exhibitions, cultural initiatives, and other collaborative programmes that create new opportunities for bilateral engagement.

The inaugural meeting of the Society was held at Nordic International University.

Addressing the participants, Professor Sherzod Mustafakulov, Rector of the University and a member of the Supervisory and Audit Commission of the Uzbekistan–Finland Friendship Society, highlighted the current achievements and future prospects of bilateral cooperation, particularly in higher education and scientific research. He underscored that public diplomacy serves as a vital instrument for strengthening trust between nations and opening new avenues for sustainable cooperation.

G‘anisher Irmatov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Compatriots Abroad under the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, noted that the Republic of Finland officially recognised Uzbekistan's independence on 30 December 1991, while diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.

He further emphasised that bilateral cooperation has continued to expand steadily across education, the economy, culture, and numerous other sectors. He also referred to the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF–21, dated 16 February 2026, which sets the strategic objective of increasing the number of Uzbek language centres for the children of compatriots living abroad to 62, as well as expanding the network of friendship societies with foreign countries to 80. The Uzbekistan–Finland Friendship Society is expected to play a significant role in achieving these national objectives.

During the meeting, Alisher Rahmatullayevich Jo‘rayev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nordic International University and Honorary Consul of Finland in Uzbekistan, was elected Chairman of the Board of the Uzbekistan–Finland Friendship Society. Odil Qo‘ysinov, Vice-Rector of the University, was appointed Deputy Chairman.

The members of the Society's Board and Supervisory and Audit Commission were also formally introduced.

Concluding the meeting, participants exchanged views on the Society's future priorities and expressed confidence that it would become an effective platform for advancing economic, academic, educational, and cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Finland. They noted that the Society would further strengthen mutual trust while facilitating the implementation of promising joint initiatives.

The Uzbekistan–Finland Friendship Society represents more than a new institutional framework—it is a dynamic platform that brings the two nations closer through knowledge, innovation, culture, shared values, and meaningful people-to-people dialogue.

The meeting opened with a comprehensive review of preparations for the University's forthcoming state institutional accreditation. Council members assessed the progress achieved to date and outlined further measures to strengthen academic quality assurance, internal monitoring mechanisms, documentation management, and institutional performance in accordance with international best practices.

Another major agenda item focused on the 2026/2027 undergraduate scholarship allocation policy for full-time study programmes. The Council approved the scholarship distribution regulations, emphasizing the principles of transparency, fairness, and support for talented and high-achieving students.

The Council also reviewed the current status of the University's laboratories, evaluating their scientific and practical capacity, student engagement, and technological infrastructure. Priority objectives were identified to further integrate laboratory activities with industry collaboration, innovation, and research.
In line with the tasks set out in the Presidential Resolution of the Republic of Uzbekistan (PQ-308, 20 October 2025), the Council discussed the effective organisation of the "E Voh" Olympiad, highlighting its importance in fostering academic excellence and youth engagement.

Special attention was also devoted to the organisation of the "Graduate–2026" ceremony. Relevant departments were instructed to ensure the high-quality preparation of graduation documents and to deliver a meaningful, well-organised, and memorable diploma award ceremony.

The Council further analysed the University's six-month research performance, reviewing the quality of scientific publications, participation in international journals, innovative research projects, grant activities, and international research partnerships. Future priorities aimed at strengthening the University's research ecosystem were also identified.

In addition, the monitoring results of doctoral candidates, PhD researchers, and independent researchers were presented, followed by recommendations designed to further enhance the University's research capacity and academic potential.

Under additional agenda items, the Council considered the outcomes of faculty professional development programmes, the recommendation of educational and scientific publications for release, the preparation of documentation for the academic title of Associate Professor, and matters related to supporting the research activities of newly admitted independent researchers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the University Council adopted the necessary resolutions on all agenda items, reaffirming its commitment to continuous institutional improvement, academic excellence, and international competitiveness.

During the seminars, researchers from the Departments of Pedagogy, Economics and Business Management, and Industrial Management and Digital Technologies presented the outcomes of their ongoing research conducted under the guidance of their academic supervisors.

The discussions provided a comprehensive evaluation of the relevance of dissertation topics, the originality of research findings, practical significance, publication progress, and the planned stages of future investigations. Particular attention was given to ensuring that each study aligns with contemporary scientific standards and contributes meaningfully to its respective field.

As part of the monitoring process, participants received expert feedback and constructive recommendations, while priority directions for the next phase of their scientific work were identified to further enhance the quality and impact of their research.

Graduate students specializing in Music and Arts, Foreign Language and Literature, and Pedagogy confidently presented their research, demonstrating a strong integration of theoretical knowledge with practical solutions.

During the defense sessions, participants engaged in comprehensive scholarly discussions on contemporary issues in linguistics, literary studies, linguocultural studies, pragmalinguistics, foreign language teaching methodology, music pedagogy, and modern approaches to arts education.

The presented research addressed a range of timely and significant topics, including language and communication in the era of artificial intelligence, intercultural communication, innovative educational technologies, and modern approaches to teaching national and global cultural heritage. These issues were examined through rigorous scientific inquiry, reflecting current developments in education and research.

The defended theses not only represent valuable academic contributions but also offer practical recommendations with strong potential for implementation in educational practice. Such research contributes to strengthening the integration of science, education, and professional practice, facilitating the adaptation of international best practices to the national education system, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of pedagogical activities.