This week, a large delegation of rectors of universities of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the Joint Institute. The goal of the visit was to get acquainted with the Institute and discuss the prospects for the development of the cooperation between JINR and Uzbek universities. At the meeting with the Institute’s Directorate, JINR and Samarkand State University signed an agreement.

Rector of the Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan Inom Madjidov, Rector of Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov Sadriddin Turabdjanov, and Vice-Rector for Scientific Works and Innovations of Samarkand State University Hakim Khushvaktov arrived in Dubna as part of the delegation of Uzbekistan to discuss cooperation with the Joint Institute.

At the meeting, JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov noted the advanced development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including in the scientific field. “Engagement of Uzbek universities in the cooperation with the Joint Institute is important since science at universities is energetic and strong,” Grigory Trubnikov highlighted, speaking about the enhancement of bilateral cooperation. He noted that the launch of several joint projects with wide participation of the teaching staff of universities of Uzbekistan may provide a strong impetus for the cooperation development between the Institute and universities of the country.

“Our main goal is not only to take part in the studies that are already underway in Dubna. Studies in the field of nuclear physics have intensified after the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan. That is why it is significant to develop university works in this field, to expand them. One of the main tasks in this regard is to form a highly qualified teaching team and train future specialists,” Inom Madjidov noted.

In this regard, an intention was expressed to enhance training of staff in the nuclear physics field for Uzbekistan on the Joint Institute’s basis. The meeting participants discussed nuclear medicine and theoretical physics as the fields for interaction expansion in personnel training and scientific cooperation. Uzbek representatives also expressed their interest in applied studies and capacities of the JINR computer cluster. The discussion also focused on the rich JINR scientific infrastructure that may serve for educational aims, including the Microtron-25 and the LINAC-200, facilities of radiobiological and applied research. The parties discussed the possibilities for joint works in modernization and extension of the scientific infrastructure of the universities, which may become a great basis for training highly qualified staff members and the development of university science, as well as the cooperation enhancement with JINR.

Participants of the event paid special attention to the format of JINR Information Centres. Speaking about their goal, Grigory Trubnikov said that opening of such a centre for the scientific youth of Uzbekistan would serve as a “window” to advanced science of JINR, would provide access to its scientific infrastructure, opportunity to establish cooperation with universities of the JINR Member States and partner countries.

To support further development of cooperation and joint projects, the parties agreed to work out the issue of organizing high-level meetings with representatives of the Academy of Sciences and relevant ministries of Uzbekistan.

At the end of the meeting, a festive signing of the agreement between the Joint Institute and Samarkand State University was held. According to the document, the parties will devote their efforts to propose and implement new joint projects in the fields of mutual interest, to organize joint scientific groups, conferences, and visits. JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov and rector of the University Rustam Khalmuradov signed the document.

On the same day, the delegation started its acquaintance with the laboratories of the Joint Institute and its scientific infrastructure. The rich programme of the three-day visit includes working meetings with Institute’s specialists, a visit to the interactive exhibition JINR Basic Facilities and to Dubna State University.