Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 30 April , the First Uzbek-Belarusian Forum of Vocational Education was held in Minsk.

On 7-9 February 2024, during the official visit of the Head of State of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Uzbekistan, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the importance of further strengthening mutually beneficial ties and cooperation between countries in various fields, including in the field of higher and professional education. The practical result of these agreements was the first Uzbek-Belarusian forum of vocational education.

The first Uzbek-Belarusian Forum of Vocational Education, held in the building of the National Library in Minsk, was opened by the Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Ivanets, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kongratebai Sharipov and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Belarus Rakhmatulla Nazarov. Head of the Department of Social Development of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Odil Abdurakhmanov also took part in this international event and noted that cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan in the field of education will serve to create new opportunities for stable socio-economic development of the two countries.

This event was attended by more than 80 representatives of relevant ministries, universities and colleges of the two countries, in particular, directors of vocational educational institutions (vocational schools, technical schools) and rectors of higher educational institutions in different regions of our republic.

This forum provides an opportunity to establish close ties on the development of vocational education in Belarus and Uzbekistan, exchange knowledge between specialists, and get acquainted with the best developments in Belarus in the field of vocational education. A permanent communication platform will also be created on issues of further development of the vocational education system.

During the forum, a “Road Map” for 2024-2025 was signed for the implementation of cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Education of Belarus on the development of vocational education and the introduction of joint educational programs between higher and professional educational institutions of the two countries, the development of academic mobility , about 50 documents were signed on organizing internships for graduates and teachers.

As a result of the forum, it was decided to introduce new educational programs in the fields of electrical engineering and renewable energy, construction and utilities, agricultural and food technologies, mechanical engineering and car service based on Belarusian experience in 14 innovative regions of Uzbekistan. In this regard, it is of great importance to improve the “Classifier of directions, specialties and professions of vocational education” based on the best practices in training mid-level personnel in Belarus.

30 modern textbooks and teaching aids created in Belarus will be gradually introduced into the educational process of professional educational institutions in Uzbekistan. At large and high-tech enterprises in Belarus, internships will be organized for students studying in relevant educational programs in professional educational institutions of Uzbekistan, and internships for masters of industrial education.

An agreement was also reached to provide methodological assistance in creating vocational training centers in 14 regions of Uzbekistan based on the experience of Belarus in creating competence centers. At the same time, the leading professional educational institutions of Belarus will be merged with 14 professional educational institutions of Uzbekistan, where advanced training centers will be created and their management and teaching staff will be involved.

A training program for 28 management and teaching staff of vocational educational institutions will be launched, in which it is planned to create advanced vocational training centers, according to the 2+2 scheme (2 weeks in Uzbekistan and 2 weeks in Belarus). The experience of integrating higher and professional educational institutions of Belarus with production will be studied and proposals for their use in our country will be developed.

Admitting students from higher educational institutions to participate in student teams in Belarus and organizing their practical training at large industrial enterprises will provide an opportunity to strengthen the theoretical knowledge of future specialists in practice and form friendly relations between students. Participants in student teams will be given the opportunity to receive a professional rank.

It is also important to create a scientific and technological consortium of leading scientists and researchers of the two countries, hold competitions for joint scientific and targeted projects of Uzbekistan-Belarus, finance a total of 20 projects worth 20 billion soums, including projects aimed at developing the field of vocational education. Also, through selection, internships will be organized for 40 professors and researchers in the field of engineering and technology in Belarusian scientific and higher educational institutions.

During the forum, participants got acquainted with the activities of the Minsk State College of Auto Mechanics named after Academician M.S. Vysotsky, Ecotechnopark "Volma" and other professional educational institutions.