SAINT PETERSBURG, August 8. /Dunyo IA/. Andrey Rudskoi, Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes through Dunyo Information Agency on the eve of the 35^th Anniversary of the State Independence of Uzbekistan:

-  Dear friends!

I have had the opportunity to visit Uzbekistan on numerous occasions, meeting with the country's leaders, university rectors, scientists, faculty members, and students. Each new visit allows me to witness how rapidly the republic is transforming.

I would describe this development not merely as dynamic, but as truly explosive. Cities are being transformed, and modern enterprises, university campuses, scientific laboratories, and innovation hubs are being established. Yet, even more significant is the atmosphere within society, which radiates the energy of creation, a pursuit of knowledge, openness to new ideas and confidence in its own strength.

Concept of “New Uzbekistan” is filled with real substance today, and the idea of the Third Renaissance connects the country's extremely rich scientific and cultural heritage with its confident movement into the future.

Systemic work with children and youth deserves special respect. The development of schools, universities, science, and culture, along with supporting talented young people, represent the most reliable investments in the future. During the International Festival “Future Innovators”, I was particularly impressed by the young participants, their burning eyes, the boldness of their ideas, and their sincere desire to create something new. It is they who form a solid foundation for the further development of Uzbekistan.

Modern relations between Russia and Uzbekistan rest upon a deep historical memory. During the years of the Great Patriotic War, Uzbekistan welcomed hundreds of thousands of evacuated individuals, including residents of besieged Leningrad, scientists, faculty members, and students. Tashkent became a second home for many. It was here that our Leningrad Polytechnic Institute also continued its educational and scientific operations. This shared history has forever linked Tashkent and St. Petersburg, our universities and our peoples.

Today, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University expands cooperation with universities in Tashkent, Samarkand, Fergana, Andijan, Bukhara, Karshi, Namangan and other cities. We implement educational and scientific projects, exchange and internship programs, and conduct engineering schools and youth events. A special place is held by our strategic partnership with the Islam Karimov Tashkent State Technical University, which is built on trust, mutual respect and a shared responsibility for the advancement of engineering education.

For us, it is important that cooperation yields concrete results: the training of modern specialists, new research and technologies, and real engineering projects for youth. Russia and Uzbekistan face similar tasks - technological development, strengthening industry, digital transformation and the training of highly qualified personnel. Addressing these challenges is more effective together, by uniting the scientific schools and competencies of our universities.

A special role here is played by the diplomacy of knowledge. The collaborative work of students, faculty members, and scientists creates strong professional and human ties between our countries. A striking example was the establishment of the International Engineering Consortium 'Engineers of the Future', which was created to advance the initiative of the Presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan proposed at the “Russia – Central Asia” summit in the fall of 2025. The consortium has united the leading technical universities of Russia and Central Asia and can serve as the foundation for a shared scientific and educational space. Its success must be measured by new technologies, joint developments, strong research teams and well-trained engineers.

Speaking of the future, I see Uzbekistan as one of the leading scientific, educational, and technological hubs of Eurasia - a modern, open country that not only adopts advanced technologies but also creates them itself.

On the eve of the 35^th anniversary of Independence, I wish Uzbekistan peace, stability, prosperity, and new large-scale achievements. I wish the Uzbek people well-being and harmony and our countries the further strengthening of friendship and strategic partnership. I am confident that a solid foundation for this path will remain good-neighbourliness, openness to cooperation and a careful attitude toward history, culture and national traditions.

Future of Uzbekistan is linked with quality education, strong science and support for talented youth. A country that invests its efforts in children and youth invests them directly into its own future! It is today's schoolchildren and students who are destined to lead scientific laboratories, universities and high-tech enterprises, to continue the construction of New Uzbekistan, and to lay the foundation for the Third Renaissance.

Happy Holiday! Happy 35^th Anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan! Wishing you happiness, brothers and sisters!