3rd Poland-Uzbekistan Rectors’ Forum
In Samarkand, the 3rd Poland-Uzbekistan Rectors’ Forum has started – one of the most important events connecting Europe and Central Asia. The forum attended by ministers, rectors and representatives of dozens of universities from both countries and representatives from scientific communities from the entire region aims at the development of partnerships, initiating joint research projects, as well as strengthening internationalisation in higher education in the context of deepening cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia.
This year’s edition will take place in a special international context. Samarkand as a historical city of the Silk Road is becoming a place for building a new axis of collaboration between Europe and Central Asia, and also in building them in the science and higher education sphere.
This makes the 3rd Poland-Uzbekistan Rectors’ Forum fit into the wider context of collaboration between the European Union and Central Asia, referring to strategic initiatives that have been developed in the last few years in this region.
The event, which will be attended by the Rector of the University of Wrocław prof. Robert Olkiewicz, on the Polish side is organised by the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and Perspektywy Education Foundation, and on the Uzbek side by the country’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
The event will be attended by the high-level delegations, including ministers responsible for higher education and health, as well as rectors of leading universities from both countries.
Internationalisation, mobility and joint projects
The primary goal of the Forum is building lasting relations between academic entities of both countries and the development of collaboration in social sciences, technologies, medicine and digital economy. The program of the event includes ministerial sessions, expert panels and bilateral meetings of the universities.
An important element of the Forum is also signing contracts regarding collaboration and initiating joint projects for the purposes of education and research, which can lead to the improvement of the quality of education and the increase in competitiveness of the universities in the international arena.
Strengthening of relations between Europe and Central Asia
The Forum will take place in a special moment of intensifying relations between Europe and Central Asia. It is important, as universities play a key role in this process, because of their role as centres of education, innovation and education of social elites. Academic collaboration has an impact not only on scientific development, but also on strengthening economical and political relations, as well as on building intercultural bridges.
– Internationalisation of higher education is not a choice, but a necessity. We meet in Samarkan – a symbolic place for current collaboration between the European Union and Central Asia – in order to build long-lasting partnerships between universities, develop study programmes and research, and to strengthen academic mobility – says prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, the leader of KRASP.
Translated by Julia Siwiec (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
Ed. KRASP
Date of publication: 13.04.2026
Added by: MJ
