We began our business trip to Uzbekistan by participating in the Central Asia–European Union University Congress 2026 in Samarkand, which also included the 3rd Forum of Rectors of Poland and Uzbekistan. The event brought together representatives of universities, public institutions, and ministries from several countries in Europe and Central Asia and created an opportunity to develop new academic partnerships. In addition to Polish and Uzbek participants, the meeting was attended by representatives from other EU countries—Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The University of Prešov was represented by Mária Kardis, Vice Rector for International Affairs and External Relations, and Kamil Kardis, the person responsible for the European Studies program. During the congress, we held several official and individual meetings with representatives of universities, including Samarkand Medical University, Samarkand State University, Silk Road University, Tashkent State University of Economics, Westminster International University in Tashkent, and Uzbekistan State University of World Languages.

The discussions confirmed that Uzbek universities are interested in cooperation, particularly in the fields of health sciences, agricultural sciences, sustainable development, environmental sciences, and social sciences. Significant attention was also given to bilateral meetings, during which we presented opportunities for cooperation with the University of Prešov in Prešov and discussed specific joint initiatives.

After the congress, we continued to Tashkent, where we visited the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages, one of the largest universities in the country. The meeting was led by the Vice Rector for Science and Innovation, Otabek Yusupov, Associate Professor, together with the Director of the Double Degree Programs Department and the Director of the Science and Research Department. The meeting focused on potential areas of cooperation, particularly in the field of joint research projects and capacity building—especially in research, the development of doctoral schools, opportunities for teaching the Slovak language, and the development of dual-degree study programs.

An important part of the program was also a meeting with the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Uzbekistan, His Excellency Victor Borecký, who provided us with valuable recommendations and also declared the embassy’s support for the activities that the University of Prešov in Prešov is initiating in Uzbekistan.

With a population of over 37 million, Uzbekistan is a developing country with high population growth and a very young demographic structure. We view it as a country with development potential that emphasizes modern education, scientific research, and international cooperation. The result of our working visit is the establishment of new bilateral relations, which can create opportunities for further concrete projects by individual departments and long-term cooperation.