The UNESCO office in Uzbekistan participated in the opening ceremony of the renovated Karauzyak Agro-Economic Technical School in Karakalpakstan, which was renovated within the framework of the project, Skills Development for Rural Employment in Uzbekistan, funded by the EU. The renovation of the 1,423 square meter college included laying new floors, installing ceilings, and improving lighting to create a comfortable educational experience. The project also provided the college with the technical equipment necessary for various educational programs.
The EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Charlotte Adrian, UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan, Sara Noshadi, as well as education officials, teachers and students of the college visited the renovated campus.
Utkir Alijanov, head of the Vocational Education Development Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, said that “within the framework of this project, we have not only revised material and technical aspects, but also updated educational and regulatory documents for specialties integral to agriculture, ensuring their compliance with European standards. The invaluable contribution of our foreign partners and cooperating experts played a key role in this endeavor.”
The Karauzyak Technical School of Agroeconomics was founded in 1988 and trains young people in 15 professional areas. This year, it has 155 students – twice as many as last year.
Sara Noshadi noted that UNESCO seeks to invest not only in immediate results, but at long-term, forward-looking support. Since 2020, UNESCO, with financial support from the EU, has been developing a strategy for technical and vocational education and training in Uzbekistan to provide the population, especially young people, with the necessary vocational skills to access better employment opportunities.
Earlier this year, President Mirziyoyev criticized the organization of secondary vocational education in the country, noting that the work of vocational education institutions is far from ideal. In this regard, the overwhelming majority of Uzbekistan’s labor migrants abroad are engaged in physically demanding, low-skilled and low-paid work.
