HKUST (GZ) Hosts Universities Roundtable in Uzbekistan; Former SCO Secretary General Attends
On Sept 24, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), in collaboration with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Uzbekistan InnoTechno Park, successfully hosted the HKUST(GZ) - Uzbekistan Universities Roundtable in Tashkent. This event was a key feature of a visit to Central Asia by a delegation led by Professor Lionel NI, President of HKUST(GZ), from Sept 24 to 25.
The forum was highlighted by the presence of Vladimir NOROV, Chairman of Central Asia Association for Artificial Intelligence, who served as former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Uzbekistan’s former Foreign Minister.
Additional speakers, included Yoziyev G’olibjon LUTFULLAYEVICH, Head of International Cooperation and Ratings Department at Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Changdong SUN, Education Counsellor of China Embassy to the Republic of Uzbekistan. Nearly 100 faculty and students from Uzbek universities, government officials, and industry leaders attended the event.
Professor Shi-Wei LEE, Acting Vice President (Research) of HKUST(GZ), presided over the forum’s opening remarks and agreement signing sessions, while Professor Ye QI, Dean of the Society Hub, moderated the roundtable discussions. Other notable attendees included Professor Lei CHEN, Dean of the Information Hub; Professor Xudong WANG, Acting Dean of the College of Future Technology; Professor Yu BAI, Director of the Entrepreneurship Center; and Jing FU, Head of the Global Affairs Department.
In his opening remarks, Vladimir NOROV expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of HKUST(GZ), the Uzbekistan Ministry of Education, and other participating universities in making the forum a success. He noted that the event marked a new phase in Sino-Uzbek cooperation across education, technology, and youth exchanges. He expressed his intention to visit HKUST(GZ) soon to foster deeper and broader educational and cultural exchanges with Central Asia.
Yoziyev G’olibjon LUTFULLAYEVICH emphasized the significance of the Roundtable, particularly following the second China-Central Asia Summit in June. As global technological transformations accelerate, the discussions among Chinese and Uzbek higher education leaders would hold great importance. He assured that the Uzbekistan Ministry of Education would actively support collaborations between Chinese and Uzbek universities.
Changdong SUN highlighted the global prestige of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) and stressed Uzbekistan’s ongoing educational reforms and digitalization efforts. He emphasized that the forum would strengthen ties among HKUST, HKUST(GZ) and Uzbek universities, with the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan committed to advancing educational, technological, and innovation partnerships to foster economic and social progress in both nations.
In his keynote address, Professor Lionel NI expressed gratitude to all attendees, marking the forum as a milestone in the collaboration between HKUST(GZ) and Uzbek higher education institutions. He emphasized the new opportunities for international exchanges between the youth of China and Uzbekistan.
When HKUST(GZ) enters into its fourth year, Professor NI highlighted its commitment to transforming higher education through interdisciplinary paradigms, restructuring talent cultivation for the AI era, and enhancing the industrial and societal impact of research. Following the China-Central Asia and SCO summits, the joint visit to Central Asia by HKUST(GZ) and HKUST aimed to implement initiatives like the “China-SCO Doctoral Training Program” proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, fostering academic excellence in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
During the event, President NI signed memoranda of understandings with Vladimir NOROV, Chairman of Central Asia Association for Artificial Intelligence and Turabdjanov Sadritdin MAXAMATDINOVICH, President of Tashkent State Technical University. HKUST(GZ) and HKUST jointly signed an MOU with the Uzbekistan InnoTechno Park.
After tea break, the forum transitioned into a roundtable discussion. Professor Ye QI noted the session’s resonated with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, where global leaders articulated visions for economic and social development and international order at the same time in New York’s UN headquarters Similarly, The roundtable gathered leaders from Chinese and Uzbek universities to explore transformative educational models, reshape talent ecosystems, and initiate pragmatic collaboration projects, all aimed at driving inclusive technological advancement and establishing partnerships aligned with national strategic goals.
Participants included Uzbek education leaders, such as Turabdjanov Sadritdin MAXAMATDINOVICH, Rector of Tashkent State Technical University, Olimjon Tuychiyev, Rector of Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent, Umid MAHMUDOV, Rector of Diplomat University, among others. The lively discussions concluded with a summary by Professor Shi-Wei LEE.
During the forum, President NI also gave an exclusive interview to O’zbekistan 24 media outlet.
