Karakalpakstan, 18 March, 2024 –The Koraozak Technical school of Agroeconomics and the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan hosted the inauguration ceremony of the newly renovated college as part of the project Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan, which is funded by the European Union.

The event was attended by H.E. Ms Charlotte Adriaen¸ Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan,  Ms Sara Noshadi, UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan and Mr Utkir Alijonov, Head of Department for Developing Professional Education at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovations, . Additionally, government officials, college staff, students and community members were also present. The opening ceremony included a comprehensive tour of the renovated premises, showcasing the significant improvements made. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with both teachers and students, gaining insights into the positive impact these enhancements have had on the educational experience at the college.

Founded in 1988, Koraozak Technical School of Agroeconomics has experienced a significant increase in its student body, reaching 155 students in 2024, effectively doubling its size from the previous year. The institution offers a diverse curriculum across 15 specialized qualifications. With the support of European Union funding, UNESCO has undertaken extensive renovations of the college, covering 1423 square meters of its facilities. This initiative has led to the modernization of workshops, classrooms, and laboratories, all of which have been upgraded with new flooring, ceilings, and enhanced lighting systems to improve the overall learning environment. Furthermore, the project has provided the college with critical resources and equipment further supporting the practical training components of its varied qualification programs.

EU in Uzbekistan

In his opening remarks, Utkir Alijonov stated:

As part of this project, we've updated not only the material and technical aspects but also educational and regulatory documents for specialties crucial to the agricultural sector, aligning them with European standards. The invaluable contributions of our foreign partners and collaborating experts have been instrumental in this endeavor.

H.E. Ms Charlotte Adriaen, remarked to be particularly excited about the opportunity to tour this newly modernized college in the framework of the EU funded project implemented by the UNESCO.

This visit is another sign of the EU engagement for skills development, youth empowerment and local development in Uzbekistan, and I am proud to see the impressive transformation of the facilities and the vibrant atmosphere amongst the teachers and students that the project has facilitated.

In her welcoming speech Ms Sara Noshadi stated that

As UNESCO, we are committed to not just invest in the immediate outcomes but to the enduring impact of our efforts. She further emphasized that our role extends beyond the physical renovation of colleges; we are here to provide systemic support, to ensure quality assurance, and to develop policy frameworks that will underpin the success of TVET in Uzbekistan for years to come.

Since 2020, UNESCO, with the financial support of the European Union, has been at the forefront of TVET strategy in Uzbekistan, focusing on governance and policy reform, modernizing qualifications, and increasing access to quality TVET to bolster the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan in enhancing living standards in rural communities. The project, while focusing on improving employability for both men and women, especially the youth, aims to equip individuals with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a sustainable, diversified, and modernized agriculture and irrigation sector in Uzbekistan.