On January 15, 2026, the Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Samarkand, Talgat Sharipov, held a meeting with Shakhzoda Negmatova, Rector of the Samarkand State Pedagogical Institute, to discuss the expansion of bilateral cooperation in education and science, DKNews.kz reports.
Focus on University Partnerships
During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on developing cooperation in higher education, expanding academic exchange programs, and implementing joint educational and scientific projects between universities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Both parties emphasized the importance of strengthening direct inter-university links as a key mechanism for deepening academic and humanitarian ties between the two countries.
Samarkand Institute’s Academic Potential
Rector Shakhzoda Negmatova briefed the Kazakh side on the history of the Institute’s establishment and development, as well as its ongoing large-scale scientific and practical activities. She expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with higher education institutions of Kazakhstan.
Academic Mobility in Practice
Special attention was given to academic mobility programs. As a practical example of cooperation, it was noted that two students from the Samarkand State Pedagogical Institute studied for one semester at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana under an academic exchange program, specializing in physical education and sports.
This experience was highlighted as a clear example of effective, practical collaboration between universities of the two countries.
Commitment to Continued Dialogue
At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides confirmed their mutual interest in continuing constructive dialogue and further deepening comprehensive cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the fields of education and science.
Observers note that expanding academic exchanges and joint university projects plays an important role in building a shared educational space and strengthening people-to-people ties in Central Asia.
