The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) says it plans to train hundreds of Uzbek civil servants in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and drone systems under a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening educational ties between Hong Kong and Central Asia.

An agreement signed with Uzbekistan's El-Yurt Umidi Foundation – a state-backed body operating under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan – establishes both undergraduate scholarships and executive education programmes for government officials from the Central Asian nation.

Under the memorandum of agreement formalised at the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the foundation will sponsor high-achieving Uzbek undergraduates to study at HKUST across disciplines including science, engineering, business, humanities and interdisciplinary programmes.

The two parties are developing executive training courses lasting one to six months for high-potential civil servants from government departments, corporate strategy functions, higher education institutions, research centres and think tanks.

The foundation plans to select and sponsor hundreds of civil servants to attend a series of executive programmes at HKUST by the end of this year.

The training will focus on areas critical to Uzbekistan's digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital forensics, robotics and drone systems.

HKUST Provost Professor Guo Yike said the partnership supports Hong Kong's goal of becoming an international education hub.

"Our partnership with the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation fully embodies the university's mission to drive knowledge exchange and cultivate future leaders," he said.

"This not only supports Uzbekistan's economic and talent development but also enriches our campus with greater cultural diversity."

Established in 2018, the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation has sponsored more than 1,900 students to pursue undergraduate to doctoral programmes in G20 countries, with over 500 students currently receiving support overseas.

Gulnoza Ismailova, executive director of the foundation, described the agreement as "a strategic investment in the long-term sustainability, intellectual potential and future of the New Uzbekistan".

"Uzbekistan is implementing large-scale reforms aimed at building an open, modern and knowledge-based economy, where investment in education and youth is viewed as a strategic national priority," she said.

During the visit to Uzbekistan, HKUST representatives also attended an international conference, meeting senior government officials and institutional leaders to explore further cooperation in engineering, advanced technology, business education and industrial internship opportunities.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden