Fergana, 7 October. The Second Forum of Professional Higher Education between Belarus and Uzbekistan kicked off today in Fergana, Uzbekistan. It's symbolic that Fergana State University, one of the country's leading scientific and educational centers, served as the forum's venue.

In attendance are approximately 40 heads of Belarusian universities and vocational education institutions, as well as leading specialists from all regions of the two countries.

The leader of the Belarusian delegation is First Deputy Minister of Education of Belarus Alexander Bakhanovich. In his welcoming address, he emphasized: "Our cooperation in education has steadily deepened in recent years. This was spurred by the agreements reached by our highly respected leaders – Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko and Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev."

Alexander Bakhanovich noted the significant results of joint work:

- over 550 active bilateral agreements,

- the implementation of over 180 joint educational programs in areas such as pedagogy, practical psychology, chemical engineering, automation of technological processes, architecture, and automotive engineering,

- the training of approximately 4,000 Uzbek citizens at Belarusian universities,

- the successful implementation of an innovative project to create specialized pedagogical classes with the support of the Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University,

- active interaction at the interdepartmental level and the establishment of direct contacts between the heads of educational institutions.

He also expressed Belarus's readiness to further expand cooperation, including:

- as part of a joint project to open a branch of the Masherov university in Uzbekistan to train personnel in preschool education,

- assistance in the establishment of the first Professional Training Center in 2026 at the Bukhara Power Engineering College,

- offering a wide range of continuing education programs for adults adapted to the needs of the Uzbek education system.

On the Uzbek side, the forum was opened by Sardor Rajabov, First Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of Uzbekistan.

Participants particularly focused on the grand opening of the Uzbekistan-Belarus Friendship Auditorium, named after the great Belarusian poet Yakub Kolas – a striking symbol of the strengthening cultural and educational ties between our peoples.

The forum will run until October 8 and will include a plenary session, thematic sections, and the signing of more than 20 agreements and treaties on bilateral cooperation between universities and colleges of Belarus and Uzbekistan.

The main goal of the event is to deepen the integration of scientific and educational potential, exchange best practices, and jointly implement innovative projects aimed at the sustainable development of both countries.

We are confident that the forum will result not only in specific agreements but also in new friendly ties that will form a solid foundation for future cooperation!