At the proposal of the French Embassy in Uzbekistan, the French government decided to award the Order of Academic Palms (grade of Chevalier) to 4 representatives of Uzbekistan for their contribution to the development of French-Uzbek cooperation.

As reported on the official website of the French Embassy, the titles were awarded to:

Lola Abdushukurova, former head of the department of phonetics and lexicology of French at the Uzbek State University of World Languages.

Gulsun Nazarova, foreign language methodologist in the Khorezm regional department of public education.

Bakhrom Urinboev, teacher of French at school Nr. 22 and in academic lyceum in Almalyk district.

Raima Shirinova, Head of the French Language Department at the National University of Uzbekistan, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Executive Director of the Uzbekistan-France Friendship Society.

This award was presented by the French Ambassador to Uzbekistan Violen Biyet de Vilmore at a ceremony held at the embassy residence.

The Academic Palms is a French decoration established October 4, 1955 by Council President Faure which follows the distinction of Officer of Academy created by Napoleon to honor eminent members of the University. This is the oldest distinctions awarded only on a civilian basis.

The Academic Palms took their present appearance in 1955, in the form of an order in three grades: Chevalier, Officer and Commander.