To further implement the spirit of the China–Central Asia Summit and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Tashkent Campus NWAFU was officially inaugurated on July 6 at Tashkent State Agrarian University in Uzbekistan, coinciding with the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Huai Jinpeng, Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Ibrokhim Yulchiyevich Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, President Wu Pute of Northwest A&F University, and Islamov Soxib Yaxshibekovich, Executive Rector of Tashkent State Agrarian University jointly unveiled the plaque for the new campus. Otabek Mahkamov, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Vice Rector of Tashkent State Agrarian University Abduvasikov Abduaziz Abdulazizovich, and representatives from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Uzbekistan attended the inauguration ceremony.
In his speech, Huai Jinpeng extended warm congratulations on the official establishment of the Tashkent Campus NWAFU. He pointed out that the Tashkent Campus is the first university branch established by China in Uzbekistan and an important initiative by the education sectors of both countries to implement the consensus reached by their heads of state. It will undoubtedly promote in-depth cooperation between high-level institutions in China and Uzbekistan. He emphasized three key expectations: First, talent cultivation should be taken as the foundation to build a high-level China–Uzbekistan cooperative education brand. Second, industry–education integration should be emphasized to enrich the new connotations of China–Uzbekistan collaboration in industry, academia, research, and application. Third, serving the overall interests should be regarded as the mission to ensure the sound development of the campus and make greater contributions to the advancement of China–Uzbekistan friendship.
Wu Pute stated in his speech that both sides will work together to advance the construction of the campus with high standards, a high starting point, and a high level. They will carry out joint dual-degree master’s programs, with plans to begin recruiting students from Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in September this year. In addition, the two sides will jointly develop digital agriculture courses, striving to reduce the gap in agricultural education resources and improve the quality of agricultural education in both countries.
Huai Jinpeng and his delegation held discussions with Ibrokhim Yulchiyevich Abdurakhmonov, Minister of Agriculture Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Sharipov Kongratbay Avezimbetovich, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Both sides exchanged views on actively promoting future cooperation in higher education, agricultural collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges between China and Uzbekistan.
Representatives of faculty and students from Tashkent State Agrarian University, along with officials and experts from our Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Graduate School, College of Economics and Management, College of Animal Science and Technology, and College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, attended the inauguration ceremony.
In January 2024, President Wu Pute and Abduvasikov Abduaziz Abdulazizovich, Vice Rector of Tashkent State Agrarian University of Uzbekistan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on jointly establishing the Tashkent Campus NWAFU. The construction of our Tashkent Campus has been included as an achievement under the framework of the Uzbek President’s state visit to China.