2026-09-07 10-06 New Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Uzbek Language Launched in China as a Result of Uzbekistan–China Educational Cooperation
Within the framework of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China, cooperation in the fields of education and the humanities continues to expand. The partnerships being established between higher education institutions of the two countries contribute to promoting the Uzbek language and culture in China, training qualified specialists, and advancing academic exchange.
One of the practical outcomes of this cooperation is the launch, from the 2026/2027 academic year, of a four-year independent Bachelor’s degree programme in “乌兹别克语” — “Uzbek Language” at Xi’an International Studies University (西安外国语大学) in the People’s Republic of China.
The programme was included as a new field of study in the university’s 2026 undergraduate programmes, with cooperation established with the Uzbekistan State World Languages University (UzSWLU) playing an important role in its development.
Cooperation between UzSWLU and Xi’an International Studies University entered a new stage in 2025. In June 2025, an official cooperation agreement was signed between the two universities during the International Forum on Innovative Cooperation between Uzbekistan and China. The agreement covers areas such as the development of academic programmes, exchanges of faculty members and students, implementation of joint research projects, and organisation of conferences.
In addition, during the visit of A. Nasirov, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of UzSWLU, to Xi’an, a meeting was held with Deng Ying, Vice-Rector of Xi’an International Studies University. The meeting focused on giving practical substance to cooperation between the two higher education institutions, particularly on teaching Uzbek in China and training specialists in this field.
Another important milestone in this process was the signing of a memorandum aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation during the visit of a delegation from Xi’an International Studies University to Uzbekistan.
As a result of these agreements, the necessary academic foundation has been established for developing Uzbek as an independent field of study in China, building its educational and methodological framework, and training qualified specialists in the field.
The academic and pedagogical activities of Shahlo Shukrullaevna Yuldasheva, Professor at UzSWLU and Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, have also played a significant role in this process. Since 1 March 2026, she has been on an academic and pedagogical assignment at Xi’an International Studies University, where she has participated in developing curricula and educational and methodological materials for teaching Uzbek as part of the new programme.
The new Bachelor’s degree programme is designed to develop students’ listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation skills in Uzbek, while also providing comprehensive knowledge of Uzbekistan’s history, literature, culture, politics, economy, social life, and other areas.
The programme aims to equip graduates with the competencies necessary for professional careers in diplomacy, foreign economic and trade relations, cultural exchange, media and publishing, education, and research.
The launch of an independent Bachelor’s degree programme in Uzbek at Xi’an International Studies University is not only a practical outcome of cooperation between the two universities, but also an important indication that educational, scientific, cultural and humanitarian relations between Uzbekistan and China are entering a new stage.
