Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 17 February, a solemn ceremony was held to present diplomas to the first graduates of the Mining Engineering specialty of the Almalyk branch of MISIS University. 

Some 74 students became part of the professional community; they are all employed in mining enterprises in the industry. The event is notable for the fact that the qualification “Mining Engineer” has not been awarded in the Republic of Uzbekistan since 1999; for the last 25 years, only bachelors of mining engineering have been graduated.

The branch of NUST MISIS in Almalyk is today one of the best technical universities of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It carries out high-level work both in training highly qualified specialists for the metallurgical industry and in conducting research activities.

“The mining industry is one of the fastest growing in the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Today, engineers and specialists in the field of subsoil development are in demand more than ever. MISIS University is among the top 25 best universities in the world in the field of Engineering - Mining according to the international QS ranking and the top 5 universities in Russia in the RAEX ranking in the field of Geology. The knowledge, skills and competencies acquired by students of the Almalyk branch of NUST MISIS will become a solid basis for building a successful professional path. Graduates will make a significant contribution to the development of industry in Uzbekistan and strengthening ties between our countries,” said NUST MISIS Rector Alevtina Chernikova.

The solemn ceremony was attended by the khokim of the city of Almalyk Kobil Khamdamov, the chairman of the board of JSC Almalyk GMK Abdulla Khursanov, the deputy chairman of the board of JSC Almalyk GMK Sadi Shermatov, the vice-rector of NUST MISIS Vadim Petrov, the head of the representative office of Rossotrudnichestvo in Uzbekistan Irina Staroselskaya, the head of the department of the Ministry higher education, science and innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sherzod Nematov, director of the AF NUST "MISIS" Farkhodbek Umarov.

Chairman of the Board of Almalyk GMK Abdulla Khursanov congratulated the graduates and noted: “The knowledge that you received during your studies at MISIS University is a reliable foundation for achieving high goals. I am confident that you will take a worthy place at our mining and metallurgical plant.”

The ceremony was accompanied by performances by the chamber orchestra of folk instruments “Sogdiana”, the folk dance ensemble “Edelweiss” and the Uzbek pop star Tahir Sadykov.