TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 20. Uzbekistan and
the British Council discussed expanding cooperation in higher
education and workforce development during talks held in London on
the sidelines of the World Education Forum 2026, Trend reports.
The meeting was held between Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Minister
of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Sardor Rajabov and
British Council CEO Scott McDonald.
The sides discussed strengthening cooperation in university
education, English-language teaching, academic exchange programs,
and scientific research.
Uzbek officials outlined ongoing reforms in the country’s higher
education and innovation sectors, including efforts to improve
English-language instruction, introduce international education
standards, and train specialists for the modern labor market.
The discussions also focused on practical cooperation measures,
including training programs for English teachers at universities
and vocational institutions, expanding English-language degree
programs, improving university management and quality control
systems, and developing joint research and student exchange
initiatives.
Student employment and the development of practical and modern
workplace skills were also among the topics discussed.
British Council representatives highlighted the organization’s
role in supporting English-language education, international
testing systems, and academic exchange programs in more than 100
countries.
At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed readiness to
expand cooperation and launch new joint initiatives aimed at
supporting the modernization of Uzbekistan’s education system and
strengthening international academic ties.
