HKUST Welcomes the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Strengthening Partnerships in Education, Research, and Talent Development

On September 10, 2026, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Nigmatovich ARIPOV, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, embarked on an official visit to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), marking the university as the sole institution on his Hong Kong agenda. The visit aimed to bolster partnerships in higher education, research, innovation, and talent development between Uzbekistan and HKUST.

The high-ranking delegation, consisting of Uzbek government officials and university leaders, was warmly welcomed by Dr. CHOI Yuk-Lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government; Prof. Harry SHUM, Council Chairman of HKUST; and Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST. Throughout the trip, Prime Minister Aripov held extensive discussions with HKUST's leadership, focusing on the expansion of academic partnerships, student and faculty mobility, and the development of research commercialization opportunities.

Both parties emphasized their shared goals of promoting knowledge-based economies and advancing emerging technology sectors. Prime Minister Aripov voiced his admiration for HKUST's achievements and its capacity to translate advanced research into practical industrial applications. Prof. Shum expressed his honor in welcoming the esteemed Uzbek delegation and hailed the partnership as a significant milestone in deepening collaboration between Hong Kong and Central Asia, particularly in the context of their respective 35th anniversaries.

Prof. Ip highlighted the strategic alignment between Uzbekistan's priorities in AI, robotics, fintech, and cybersecurity and HKUST's research strengths, suggesting AI and medical science as promising avenues for future joint initiatives. The Prime Minister and his delegation toured HKUST's Von Neumann Institute, where they were introduced to cutting-edge research in AI, robotic intelligence, and healthcare applications.

The delegation also engaged with 31 Uzbek students, gaining insights into their educational experiences and life in Hong Kong. The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HKUST and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The MOU set forth a framework for educational collaboration, emphasizing excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research.