Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) continues to strengthen its academic ties with the Turkic world in line with its internationalization vision. In this context, the engagements held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, expanded the university’s international cooperation network. As part of the “Turkish Universities Fair” held on April 15, 2026, the BEUN delegation in Tashkent signed significant cooperation agreements with leading higher education institutions in Uzbekistan following a series of meetings.

During the visit under the leadership of Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, comprehensive connections were made with Tashkent Metropolitan University, University of Science and Technologies, Tashkent State Technical University. Many topics including academic collaborations, joint programs, and student-academics mobility were discussed. BEUN Coordinator of Corporate Communications Lecturer Ufuk Tok accompanied Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu during the visits.

Joint Programs and Erasmus+ Initiative with Tashkent Metropolitan University

The first stop of BEUN delegation was Tashkent Metropolitan University. During the visit collaboration opportunities were discussed especially for the programs in English. Highlighting the significance of collaborations with Turkish Universities, founding Rector Bekhzod Djalilov, Vice Rector Aziz Islamkhodjaev, the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Faculty Munisa Muhtarova stated that networking with BEUN would be beneficial and would lead to new collaborations.

BEUN Strenghtens Its Collaboration with University of Science and Technologies

The ongoing collaboration  process was discussed during the second stop of the visit. During the delagation’s visit consisting of Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Morud Akhmedov, the Dean of Open and Distance Education Prof. Dr. Naim Khojikulov and Director of International Relations Dr. Jokhangir Odilov, to BEUN and BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer in October 2025, a collaboration agreement was signed in the Senate Hall of the Rectorate. The activities planned as part of the agreement were comprehensively discussed. Both parties agreed to enhance the scope of the joint projects in the academic and scientific fields.

Strategic Collaboration with Tashkent State Technical University

A significant collaboration agreement was signed with Tashkent State Technical University (TDTU), the third stop of the visit. Implementation of research and project focused collaborations, students and academics exchange programs, and international publications and projects was determined during the visit. And collaboration regarding joint conferences, organization of workshops, and sharing library facilities was also determined.

Rector Özölçer: “Academic Bridges with the Turkish World Strengthen the International Visibility of Our University in Central Asia”

BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated the following in his remarks:

“As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we believe the steps we take in line with the internationalization vision will enhance the academic strenght of the university. These collaborations we signed with Uzbekistan’s prestigious universities will strenghten the academic relations between the two countries and the scientific solidarity within the Turkic world. Collaboration agreements between the universities are extremely significant steps that increase information exchange, promote joint projects, and provide global opportunities to our students. I believe such academic connections will be more meaningful on the base of common history and culture.

I would like to thank Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu and Coordinator of Corporate Communications Lecturer Ufuk Tok for their contributions to the initiatives in Uzbekistan. I would also like to thank the administration of Tashkent Metropolitan University, University of Science and Technologies, and Tashkent State Tachnical University. I wholeheartedly believe that the agreements will lead to activities and provide gains for our university and other parties. We will continue our efforts to make our univeristy more visible on the international fields.