27.07.2020 Ankara
Union of Chambers and Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) University of Economics and Technology (ETU) is establishing a university in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Speaking
at the video conference on the subject, TOBB President and Chairman of the TOBB
ETU Board of Trustees M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Uzbekistan is the heart of
Asia. It is the shining star of Central Asia, both culturally and economically.
Our elders such as Imam Buhari, Imam Maturidi, Ali Kuşçu and Ali Shir Nevai,
who have marked our civilization with their knowledge, all came from here in
Uzbekistan.”
Having
been received on October 4th, 2019, by Uzbekistan President Shevket
Mirziyoyev's, Hisarcıklıoğlu, “At this meeting, President Mirziyoyev gave many
tasks to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey with his visionary
approach. Of course, the most important of these tasks, I think, was the
opening of the Tashkent branch of TOBB University of Economics and Technology.
We started working with Adkham right away. President Mirziyoyev came to our
country on February 19th, 2020. During this visit, we had the
opportunity to tell them about our projects. the cooperation agreement for the
establishment of Uzbekistan CCI and TOBB ETU in Tashkent were signed then and
there. TOBB ETU Tashkent, Uzbekistan Ministry of Education, Tashkent University
of Economics, Uzbekistan CCI are being established together.”
Stating
that the university to be established in Uzbekistan has similar curriculums and
programs with TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will now start implementing
the same in Tashkent. TOBB ETU Tashkent will have two academic programs at the
beginning. The first is the International Entrepreneurship Program. Second, the
e-Commerce and Technology Management Program. We specifically chose these two
issues. Because entrepreneurship and e-commerce are the most prominent issues
in today's global economy. Uzbekistan is the heart of Asia. It is the shining
star of Central Asia, both culturally and economically. Our elders such as Imam
Buhari, Imam Maturidi, Ali Kuşçu and Ali Shir Nevai, who have marked our
civilization with their knowledge, all came from here in Uzbekistan.”
Stating
that Uzbekistan has a very young population and is one of the countries with
high potential in its region, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Today, I believe that
Uzbekistan has a great future with its young and dynamic population, historical
accumulation, strategic location, rich natural resources and evolving industry
approaching 35 million. Therefore, while global economies are reshaping, Uzbekistan
is the most suitable country to be the center of entrepreneurship in this region.
Today, cross-country riches are emerging by the number of entrepreneurs which
countries have created. The potential is there in Uzbekistan, and we define our
relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan as a strategic partnership based on
strong fraternity ties based on our common history, language and culture. In
that succinct statement of the late Abdullah Aripov, the national poet of
Uzbekistan, 'Our language is one, our religion is one, our faith is one,'”
Stating
that the Turkish-Uzbekistan brotherhood is an ancient brotherhood stretching to
the distant past, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Last year in Baku, with the full
membership of Uzbekistan to the Turkic Council, this association between us was
further strengthened. In Uzbekistan, we also appreciate the reform process
under the strong and decisive leadership of President Mirziyoyev. Our country
is among the countries that establish the most companies with foreign capital. As
turkey's business community, we will continue to stand with Uzbekistan and our
Uzbek brothers. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude
to our Presidents and esteemed academicians, who have not spared any support
from us for TOBB ETU to open branches in Uzbekistan.”
Turkish
Ambassador to Tashkent Mehmet Süreyya Er said that relations between the two
countries are at a good level and that work is continuing to bring them to
better places.
Dr.
Adkham Ikramov, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Uzbekistan, noted that relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan are very good
and that this university, which was established to further them, is a step
forward. Noting that he had seen Hisarcıklıoğlu at the first Friday prayers at Hagia
Sophia-i Kebir Cami-i Sharifi and expressed that he was very happy, İkramov
expressed that he is looking forward to praying at the Hagia Sophia-i Kebir Cami-i
Sharifi.
TOBB
ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Güven Sak also said that they have already received 200
applications for the university established in Tashkent. Prof. Dr. Sak added
that Uzbekistan has a great potential for education.
Attending
the videoconference were Turkish Ambassador to Tashkent Mehmet Süreyya Er, TOBB
President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TOBB ETU M. Rifat
Hisarcıklıoğlu, Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General Adem
Kula, Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dr. Adkham Ikramov,
TOBB ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Güven Sak.