Expected results from this forum:

1. To open at least 2 branches of French universities in our country;
2. To increase the existing 2 joint education programs to 10;
3. To multiply the exchange of doctoral students, masters and students based on academic mobility.

This forum is currently being held in the capital of France within the framework of “Campus France-2022 meetings”, which are traditionally held every year. This international event, attended by rectors of French universities, representatives of the scientific community, and professors, is a special dialogue space that helps to increase the attractiveness of French higher education and research abroad.

Mrs. Donaten Issard, the head of the “Campus France” organization, opened the forum with an introductory speech and expressed her special gratitude to the delegation of Uzbekistan, who visited for the purpose of establishing close cooperation in the education field. The speakers spoke about cooperation between the two countries, including relations in the field of higher education.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdukodir Toshkulov, emphasized that the meeting is extremely important and significant for both sides, and in turn, the cooperation between the two countries in the field of higher education is expanding and strengthening year by year.

“This forum will serve to establish new direct inter-university relations, train personnel, exchange opinions and experiences in the fields of education and science,” A. Toshkulov said.

Within the framework of the forum, a conference entitled “Sustainable development as a vector of attractiveness” and a seminar on the topic “Towards a new regional mobility center in Central Asia: Uzbekistan’s policy of international openness and its opportunities for cooperation with France” were held. Lectures by professors and teachers of higher education institutions and a number of specialists were heard.

Also, between the leaders of the educational institutions of the two sides, an effective discussion was held on further expansion of cooperation relations and bringing it to a new level, experience was exchanged and promising plans were discussed.

At the end of the first working day of the forum, about 10 memoranda of understanding, agreements and roadmaps were signed on further expansion of direct bilateral cooperation with French universities, in particular, the establishment of joint education and double degree programs in a number of areas, short and long-term lectures by French experts in Uzbek HEIs, organization of seminars, exchange of students and professors, retraining, development of cooperation in scientific activities.

At the end of the dialogue, it was proposed to hold the next rectors’ forum with French universities in Uzbekistan in 2023.