France-Uzbekistan Partnership Brings World-Class Engineering Education to SIUT
France and Uzbekistan continue to expand their strategic partnership, particularly in education. During President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Paris from March 11 to 13, 2025, discussions with President Emmanuel Macron led to the signing of a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership and agreements in various sectors, including education. A key focus was on training highly qualified professionals to meet the demands of modern industry and technology.
SIUT Rector, Professor Yusuf Abdullaev, participated in negotiations in Nice with the Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Yann Liberti. The discussions resulted in an agreement to establish a French Higher Engineering School at SIUT, set to commence operations in September 2025.
Academic Programs and Industry Integration
The new engineering institute will collaborate with leading French universities and educational institutions. The curriculum will cover key fields such as mining, geology, oil and gas, and chemical engineering. Additionally, French language courses will be integrated into the educational process as part of the cooperation agreements.
This initiative aims to enhance engineering education in Uzbekistan by incorporating international standards and modern teaching methodologies, ensuring the training of specialists in high demand both locally and globally.
Funding and Institutional Support
The project will receive funding from multiple sources, including:
- Investments from French businesses interested in supporting engineering education in Uzbekistan.
- Academic and methodological assistance from top French universities.
- Contributions from the SIUT Board of Trustees, chaired by Bakhtiyor Fazylov.
Since its establishment in 2022, SIUT has built partnerships with leading global institutions, such as the Colorado School of Mines (USA), Sultan Trans Inc. (USA), and top universities in China, South Korea, and India. The launch of the French Higher Engineering School will further advance SIUT’s efforts in integrating international academic standards.
Industry Collaboration and Student Opportunities
SIUT took its first steps in incorporating European engineering education standards in August 2024 by signing a cooperation agreement with the French company Orano and the Uzbek-French joint venture Nurlikum Mining. This partnership provides engineering students with internships, seminars, and training programs, aligning with SIUT’s dual-education system that bridges academia and industry.
The establishment of the first Uzbek-French engineering institute in Uzbekistan marks a significant milestone in scientific and educational cooperation between the two nations. It creates new opportunities for students seeking internationally recognized engineering education.
About OIF
The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) promotes the French language, supports cultural diversity, advances education and research, and fosters sustainable economic development. Currently, OIF has over 104 partner institutions worldwide.
