International activities
The Urgut Branch of Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov (hereinafter – the Branch) carries out its international cooperation activities in accordance with the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PQ-2909 of April 20, 2017 “On Measures for Further Development of the Higher Education System,” the Presidential Decree No. PF-5847 of October 8, 2019 “On Approval of the Concept for the Development of the Higher Education System of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030,” the Presidential Decree No. PF-6097 of October 29, 2020 “On Approval of the Concept for the Development of Science until 2030,” the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 606 of July 19, 2019, as well as other applicable normative and legal documents.
The Branch currently maintains mutually beneficial cooperation with 12 leading higher education institutions from 8 foreign countries. These include the Norwich Institute for Language Education (United Kingdom), the University of Camerino (Italy), the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (Malaysia), the Kyrgyz–Uzbek International University named after B. Siddiqov and Osh State University (Kyrgyz Republic), L. N. Tolstoy Tula State Pedagogical University, Altai State University, G. R. Derzhavin Tambov State University, and Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University (Russian Federation), the International Black Sea University (Georgia), the Khujand Pedagogical Institute (Republic of Tajikistan), and Northwest Normal University (People’s Republic of China). Memorandums of cooperation have been signed with these partner universities.
The Branch continuously develops joint initiatives in research and education with these institutions, paying special attention to expanding international cooperation and enhancing its effectiveness.
In particular, on 13 February 2025, a delegation from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), Malaysia—including Nur Zahdi Aldin, Director of Quality Assurance, and Aziza Alimova, Regional Representative for CIS Countries of the International Relations Department—visited the Branch.
During the visit, a meeting was held between the Branch administration and the delegation members. The parties discussed prospects for cooperation between the two universities, including the implementation of student exchange programs, joint initiatives, and other priority areas. Additionally, the delegation delivered a seminar-training session for the Branch’s academic staff and students, providing detailed information about APU’s educational processes, facilities for international students, academic programs, and the university’s global achievements.
As part of the visit, the Branch representatives organized a cultural tour of historical and cultural sites in Samarkand region and Urgut district for the delegation members.
On 15 February 2025, Professor Dr. Che Zalina Zulkifli, Director of the Faculty of Computing and Meta-Technologies of the Sultan Idris Education University of Malaysia, visited the Branch. During the visit, the Professor conducted a seminar-training for the academic staff, researchers, and students of the Branch on relevant topics such as grant programs, the process of publishing articles in international scientific databases SCOPUS and Web of Science. She also provided comprehensive information on undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs at Sultan Idris University, conditions created for international students, as well as educational and research grants.
At the end of the visit, the parties reached an agreement to establish cooperation in the areas of professional development, internships, participation in summer education programs, organizing scientific publications and conferences.
On 21 February 2025, Professor Roxana Dev Omar Dev from Malaysia’s Putra University visited the Branch. During the visit, the Professor conducted seminar-trainings and practical master classes for the academic staff, researchers, and students of the Branch. In addition, detailed information was provided regarding the educational processes, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programs at Putra University, opportunities for international students, and available educational and scientific grants.
The parties agreed to further expand cooperation between the two higher education institutions in areas such as the development of student exchange programs, professional development, internships, participation in summer academic programs, organizing scientific publications and joint conferences.
On 21–25 April 2025, an official visit of the Branch delegation, consisting of the Director and the Head of the Education Quality Control Department, to Osh State Pedagogical University of the Kyrgyz Republic was carried out.
During the visit, an official meeting was held with the university administration, during which the parties discussed priority issues related to establishing bilateral cooperation. In addition, the Director of the Branch delivered an educational seminar titled “Tourism Potential of Samarkand” for 2nd-year students of the Tourism Department of Osh State Pedagogical University.
At the end of the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation aimed at strengthening future joint projects, scientific research, and exchanging experience in the educational process was signed.
Moreover, within the framework of the visit, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Branch and the Institute of Natural Sciences, Physical Education, Tourism and Agricultural Technologies of Osh State Pedagogical University, which includes lecturer and student exchange, organizing joint seminar-trainings and other areas of cooperation.
On 15 May 2025, Ekaterina Litvinova, Candidate of Biological Sciences and Head of the High Technologies Laboratory of Novosibirsk State Technical University of Russia, visited the Branch.
During the visit, she conducted seminar-trainings and practical master classes for the academic staff and students of the Branch. She also provided detailed information about the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programs offered at Novosibirsk State Technical University, opportunities for international students, as well as educational and research grants available at the university.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to enhance cooperation in promising areas such as student exchange programs, professional development, internships, participation in summer academic programs, and organizing scientific publications and conferences.
Within the framework of the cooperation memorandum established with the Norwich Institute for Language Education (United Kingdom), an online self-access course titled “Teaching Skills and Languages” (30 hours) was launched on 29 May 2025 for the academic staff and students of the Foreign Languages Department of the Urgut Branch of Samarkand State University. All participating faculty members and students successfully completed the course and were awarded official certificates.
On 16–18 June 2025, a delegation of the Urgut Branch led by the Head of the Department of Language Teaching Methodology, Mr. Begali Khudaykulovich Mardieev, along with faculty members Mr. Ismoil Turkmenovich Babakulov and Mr. Akbar Abulkhaevich Asrorov, paid an official visit to the Panjakent Pedagogical Institute of the Republic of Tajikistan. As a result of the visit, a cooperation memorandum was signed between the two institutions.
From 16 to 20 June 2025, the delegation of the Urgut Branch, consisting of the Deputy Director for Research and Innovation Dr. D. R. Mardonov and the Head of the International Cooperation Department Mr. A. V. Abdusalimov, paid an official visit to the International Black Sea University (Georgia).
During the meetings, the parties discussed priority areas such as the exchange of researchers and academic staff, participation in conferences and symposia organized by the two universities, collaboration in publishing scientific articles and research works, organizing online conferences, and developing future joint educational programs.
As a result, a cooperation memorandum and a Student Exchange Program Agreement were signed.
From 19 June to 16 July 2025, faculty members of the Department of Language Teaching Methodology – Ms. Safiya Khamdamovna Yokubova and Ms. Umida Odilkhonovna Khamidova — as well as the faculty member of the Department of Natural Sciences Teaching Methodology — Mr. Rajab Akbarovich Samiyev — successfully completed a one-month professional development program at Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University (Turkey).
In order to enhance the attractiveness of educational processes, integrate international experience into teaching, strengthen scientific potential, and train globally competitive specialists, two foreign professors from Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University were invited to conduct classes at the Departments of Language Teaching Methodology and Natural Sciences Teaching Methodology.
These invited professors organized seminar-trainings and masterclasses for the academic staff of the Urgut Branch.
On 4-6 November 2025, a delegation of the Urgut Branch – consisting of the First Deputy Director for Youth Affairs and Spiritual-Educational Work Mr. Zikirillo Shukurilloyevich Yazdonov, the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Natural Sciences Mr. Sherzod Bakhtiyorovich Omonov, and Professor of the Department of Language Teaching Methodology Mr. Ismoil Turkmenovich Babakulov – paid an official visit to the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan).
During the visit, a cooperation memorandum was signed with the Faculty of Philology aimed at strengthening partnership ties, implementing joint scientific and educational projects, and promoting academic mobility among faculty and students
Additionally, Professor Ismoil Babakulov delivered a seminar for the students of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, providing detailed insights into the prospects of scientific cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, contemporary philological research directions, and innovative approaches in education.
From 24 to 26 October 2025, Dr. D. R. Mardonov, Deputy Director for Research and Innovation, actively participated in the 3rd Asia–Europe Teachers Education Forum held in Lanzhou, China, organized by Northwest Normal University, which gathered top university leaders, scholars, and experts from Asia and Europe.
Furthermore, Dr. Mardonov held a meeting with the leadership of Northwest Normal University. During the meeting, the parties agreed on establishing cooperation ties and developing promising joint initiatives.
On 13 November 2025, a cooperation memorandum was officially signed between Northwest Normal University (China) and the Urgut Branch of Samarkand State University