The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Uzbekistan's "El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation (the Foundation) have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Under the agreement, both parties have pledged to strengthen educational cooperation through scholarships, academic exchanges, and executive training, providing a high-impact development pathway for talented Uzbek students and professionals through world-class international education.
The MOA signing ceremony was held earlier at the Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The agreement was signed by Mr. Eric LO, Head (Global Intelligence and Strategy), Office of Institutional Data and Research at HKUST, and Dr. Gulnoza ISMAILOVA, Executive Director of the "El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation for the Training of Prospective Personnel under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Under the agreement, the Foundation will provide scholarships to high-achieving Uzbek undergraduate students admitted to HKUST, enabling them to pursue cutting edge education in science, engineering, business and management, humanities and social science, as well as interdisciplinary studies at HKUST. The agreement not only marks a significant step in expanding HKUST's influence in Central Asia but also lays a solid foundation for academic exchange and leadership development between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan.
Over the past year, HKUST and the Foundation have actively strengthened their collaboration and jointly developed a long-term framework for cooperation. The University has the highest proportion of international undergraduate students among Hong Kong's publicly funded institutions, bringing together students from over 70 countries and regions. As HKUST's academic visibility in Central Asia continues to grow, the number of applications from these regions has steadily risen. For the 2026 admissions intake, applications from Uzbekistan increased by more than double compared to the previous year, making it one of HKUST's fastest-growing emerging international student markets. This trend reflects strong demand from Uzbekistan for technology-oriented, internationally recognized higher education.
Prof. GUO Yike, Provost of HKUST, stated, "HKUST is actively promoting the HKSAR Government's 'Study in Hong Kong' brand and striving to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for education and high-caliber talents. Our partnership with the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation fully embodies the University's mission to drive knowledge exchange and cultivate future leaders through cutting-edge education and research. Through this close collaboration, HKUST's academic influence is extending to key emerging nations. This not only supports Uzbekistan's economic and talent development but also enriches our campus with greater cultural diversity, further broadening our students' global perspectives. Looking ahead, HKUST looks forward to strengthening exchanges with more outstanding Uzbek higher education institutions and scholars, and to building deeper cooperative relationships in education and research."
Dr. Gulnoza ISMAILOVA, Executive Director of the "El-Yurt Umidi" Foundation, stated, "Today, human capital development has become one of the key pillars of national competitiveness and sustainable development. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, 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. In this context, cooperation with the world's leading universities plays a critical role in preparing a new generation of professionals for priority sectors-from artificial intelligence and engineering to the digital economy, innovation, and public governance. The signing of the memorandum with HKUST opens new opportunities for Uzbekistan in training highly qualified specialists in advanced technological fields, while also strengthening the country's position as an emerging regional hub for education, science, and innovation in Central Asia. This is no longer simply an academic partnership. It is a strategic investment in the long-term sustainability, intellectual potential, and future of the New Uzbekistan."
During the visit, HKUST representatives also attended an international conference held locally, where they met with senior Uzbek government officials and institutional leaders to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation. During the meetings, HKUST representatives introduced the University's strengths in engineering, advanced technology, business education, and industry collaboration projects, highlighting potential opportunities for applied training and industrial internships for Uzbek professionals.
HKUST to Assist in Training Uzbekistan Civil Servants
Established in 2018, the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation has sponsored over 1,900 students to pursue undergraduate to doctoral programs in G20 countries, with more than 500 overseas students currently receiving support. Beyond undergraduate recruitment, HKUST and the Foundation are exploring the development of executive education programs lasting from 1 to 6 months for high-potential civil servants. These programs will target representatives from government departments, corporate strategy functions, higher education institutions, research centers, and think tanks.
These executive programs will be delivered by HKUST's faculty members, combining advanced theory, leadership training, and practicum. The Foundation plans to select and sponsor hundreds of civil servants to attend a series of executive training programs at HKUST by the end of this year. These programs will cover key areas critical to Uzbekistan's digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital forensics, robotics, and drone systems.
