Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- EducationUSA, the U.S. government’s official resource for students interested in pursuing higher education opportunities in the United States, together with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, opened the South and Central Asia Regional Forum at the InterContinental Hotel in Tashkent today. 

During the forum, hosted in Central Asia for the first time, representatives from more than 50 U.S. universities will meet with Uzbek students and higher education advisers from around the region. The forum runs through October 20.  

Regional EducationUSA Advisers from Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will join officials from U.S. higher education institutions to discuss recruitment strategies, admissions topics, study disciplines, inclusive higher education, and more.   

“Uzbekistan’s reform agenda provides opportunities to boost the country’s economy and further connect it to the world,” Ambassador Henick said. “The United States supports these efforts by increasing funding for English language learning and teacher training, and high-quality textbooks. We also have added more American English teachers at universities and schools throughout the country.” 

The forum will also feature a U.S. Higher Education Fair on Thursday, October 19 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. during which local students can meet and discuss opportunities with U.S. university representatives.  Students and their families can learn about the U.S. college application process and identify resources available to students from Uzbekistan. Following the forum, representatives from 10 U.S. universities will visit the EducationUSA advising centers at the American Corners in Namangan and Qarshi to meet students interested in U.S. higher education opportunities.  

EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of more than 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries, and territories, including Uzbekistan, that provides free advising services to prospective international students. EducationUSA helps students navigate the five steps to U.S. study—researching schools, financing, completing the application, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure—and offers resources and tools for each step. There are nearly 4,000 accredited higher education institutions in the United States, and EducationUSA advisers help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers. The program does not offer scholarships but can assist students in locating scholarship opportunities as they consider their options for funding a degree