Awarding winners of the contest on the EU-Uzbekistan cooperation

The contest consisted of three stages: solving 20 tests, writing essays, and answering questions. The main goals of this competition were to increase students’ interest in the EU, expand their knowledge and encourage social activity, as well as to identify talented students and support their further efforts and development in the field of education and research.

The awarding ceremony was opened by the first deputy chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan’s Parliament and UWED Rector, Mr Sodiq Safaev, and the Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan, Ms Charlotte Adriaen. Both noted the importance and involvement of youth in strengthening the EU-Uzbekistan cooperation.

The EU Ambassador also recalled the cooperation results achieved by the European Union in the sphere of education of Uzbekistan. For example, Ms Adriean pointed out that over 55 Uzbek Higher Education Institutions and over 150 universities from 22 countries of the European Union and 10 partner countries took part in the projects within the Tempus programme. The total project budget allocated for 43 Erasmus+ CBHE projects from all six Calls about €11.5 million were allocated for HEIs in Uzbekistan.

It should be noted that the awarding ceremony was held on the Youth Day in Uzbekistan. And in Europe, this year is declared the European Year of Youth.

“The European Year of Youth places special importance on young people’s transformative impact on our communities and economies – solving local and global challenges. The young people are the driving force for the development of Uzbekistan in the years to come. Today, they are a vivid illustration of the promise and they hold huge potential for the future of the country and the key to strengthening the cooperation of the European Union and Uzbekistan,” said EU Ambassador, Ms Charlotte Adriaen, during her speech.

After welcoming speeches, the event moderator and UWED Vice Rector, Ms Gulnoza Ismailova, announced five winner students of different universities who were awarded with special prizes for their outstanding efforts in the competition. The winners expressed their gratitude to the contest organizers and the European Union for supporting them.

Then, all the participants of the event had a chance to listen to a lecture “Jean Monnet – a man of destiny” presented by Franҫois Begeot, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan. The students could learn more about the life of Jean Monnet and importance of the Schuman Declaration. They also asked interesting questions and thanked for the lecture.