OHIO welcomed delegates from Andijan State University, Uzbekistan, during International Education Week 2021

Hosted by the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Office of Global Affairs, delegates from Andijan State University (ASU) in Uzbekistan visited Ohio University’s Athens campus during the week of Nov. 15-19.

This new global partnership was spearheaded through a collaboration between OPIE and the Department of Foreign Languages and the International Relations Office at Andijan State University. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed Aug. 13 to establish the formal institutional partnership. 

“I am delighted that the result of OPIE’s initial project with ASU resulted in an agreement between our two universities. ASU is a progressive institution and we look forward to long and mutually beneficial relationship,” OPIE Director Gerry Krzic, Ph.D., said. 

Stakeholders and leadership across OHIO met delegates throughout the week to explore opportunities for collaboration. Delegates included Dr. Farhod Alimov, head of the international department; Dr. Dilshodbek Rustamov, dean of the faculty of English language and literature; Dr. Shohida Shahabitdinova, dean of distance learning faculty; and Dr. Dilrabo Ahmadalieva, professor, faculty of English language and literature. 

Delegates also attended the International Education Week Gala as special guests and met with numerous members of the OHIO community during an open Welcome Reception. Photos of these events can be found here. 

Currently, activities include the joint English language training program, called “Enhancing English Language Education in Uzbekistan,” which is funded by the American Councils for International Education as part of the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN) initiative. Currently, ASU and OHIO students are participating in an online Honors College (HC2905) international project with students from Russia (National Research University – Higher School of Economics, or HSE-PERM) and Japan (Chubu University) taught by  Krzic. 

ASU and OPIE are planning to collaborate on another online program for 2022 that will involve English language training and the UN Sustainable Development Goals for undergraduate students.  

This partnership seeks to recruit ASU students to OHIO graduate programs, offer English language training programs and education for ASU students, and foster collaborative research and exchange projects for students and faculty. 

For further information, please contact Krzic at krzic@ohio.edu or Rebecca Challenger at challeng@ohio.edu.