HKUST and Uzbekistan expand scholarship cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have signed a Memorandum of Agreement establishing a strategic partnership in education and workforce development.

The document was signed at the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies of Uzbekistan and provides for expanded cooperation through scholarship programs, academic exchanges, and professional training for students and specialists.

Under the agreement, the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation will provide scholarships to high-achieving Uzbek students to study at HKUST in fields including science, engineering, business and management, as well as humanities and interdisciplinary disciplines. The parties said the agreement aims to ensure access for Uzbek youth to international education and to develop the country’s human capital.

The document was signed by Eric Lo, Head of Global Analytics and Strategy at HKUST’s Office of Institutional Data and Research, and Gulnoza Ismailova, Executive Director of the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation. During the visit, HKUST representatives also held meetings with Uzbek government institutions and took part in an international conference discussing prospects for cooperation in engineering, high technologies, and business education.

A separate area of cooperation will focus on training Uzbek public servants. The foundation plans to send specialists to HKUST for short-term professional development programs lasting from one to six months, covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital forensics, robotics, and unmanned systems.

According to both sides, interest in HKUST in Uzbekistan has grown significantly in recent years, with applications from the country more than doubling in 2026 compared to the previous year. The university noted that this makes Uzbekistan one of the fastest-growing international student recruitment markets.

HKUST representatives emphasized that cooperation with the foundation aligns with Hong Kong’s strategy to develop as an international education hub and aims to strengthen global knowledge exchange and prepare future leaders.

The El-Yurt Umidi Foundation stated that investment in human capital is seen as a key factor in long-term development and improving national competitiveness.