SAINT PETERSBURG, August 28. /Dunyo IA/. Sergey Tarasov, Rector of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor and Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, has extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan through Dunyo IA on the eve of the 35^th Anniversary of the Independence of Uzbekistan:

- On behalf of the entire collective of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia and on my own behalf, I congratulate the entire people of Uzbekistan on their most important national holiday - the 35^th Anniversary of State Independence. Over these years, the country has traversed a large-scale path of development, strengthened its statehood and preserved its richest cultural heritage, while simultaneously opening up to innovation and international cooperation.

For the Herzen University, Uzbekistan stands as a key strategic partner in education. We take great pride in the operation of our university's branch in Tashkent, which has already celebrated two graduating classes of bachelor’s and master’s students. The joint projects “Klass!” and “Malysh” contribute to raising the quality of Russian language instruction and developing preschool education, with over 1,500 educators and 100 methodologists having completed training under these programs. There are three Centers for Open Education in the Russian Language and Russian Language Teaching operating in Uzbekistan. Furthermore, the Uzbek Cultural Center functions in St. Petersburg, serves as a dynamic platform for youth dialogue and the preservation of cultural ties. Herzen University looks forward to strengthening this cooperation and developing joint educational, scientific, and humanitarian projects.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish the entire people of Uzbekistan peace, prosperity and new achievements. May the friendship between our countries strengthen and bear new fruits. Happy Independence Day!