BISHKEK, July 26. /Dunyo IA/. Fazliddin Muminov, Head of Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of Uzbekistan, stated in an interview with the “Vecherniy Bishkek” newspaper that education, science, and innovation are becoming key factors in strengthening cooperation among the countries of Central Asia and the Turkic world, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to him, Uzbekistan is consistently expanding academic exchanges, joint educational programs, and scientific research. Today, 3,020 students from Central Asian countries, including 384 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, are studying at the universities of the Republic. Furthermore, each neighbouring state is annually allocated 20 state grants for free education at the universities of Uzbekistan.

Fazliddin Muminov also highlighted the development of joint projects with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, including the establishment of university branches, the implementation of programs in engineering, water resource management, and agricultural innovations, as well as the expansion of cooperation between higher education institutions and research centers.

According to his assessment, investments in education and the development of international academic cooperation lay the foundation for creating a unified intellectual space in the region.