Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Uzcharmsanoat Association, the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry and Northampton University. 

This agreement envisages the cooperation of the teaching staff, researchers and students in the joint development of academic exchange programs and the development of research activities, the training of specialists for the leather and footwear industry.

The University of Northampton is one of the most respected universities in the UK. It is among the leaders in increasing “public value” through social influence: the main thing for the university is that students and graduates also have the opportunity to leave their mark on history. Almost a century old educational institution in 2005 received the status of a university that offers its students more than 400 undergraduate programs and more than 50 master’s programs. Every year, over 1000 foreign students from more than 100 countries of the world enter the University. For young people from Uzbekistan, there is an opportunity to study the Fashion and Footwear direction at the international level.

The Uzcharmsanoat Association established links with the British university during one of the largest fashion and design exhibitions in Europe - Pure London, which was held in July. Then Uzbekistan demonstrated to fashion industry experts the potential of the leather and footwear industry of our country, as well as the level of state support for the industry, which is reflected in documents signed by the head of state.

Cooperation with international universities is a separate paragraph of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On additional measures to support the production of finished products in the leather, footwear and fur industries." The document became a logical continuation of the revolutionary reforms in the country’s leather and footwear industry. Today, when hundreds of new investment projects have already been launched, large-scale work is underway to modernize and re-equip the industry’s capacities, the issue of personnel training remains acute. A lot of work is being done to build the capacity of the country’s universities. In this regard, the experience of leading educational institutions of the world is adopted.

In June, a similar Memorandum was signed with the Aegean University. Now, close work is underway with the Turkish university to prepare a joint curriculum. It is assumed that part of the educational process will take place at the university and enterprises in Turkey, the rest in Uzbekistan. Details are planned to be worked out soon. The Vice-Rector of the Aegean University will take part in the 13th International Exhibition-Fair UzCharmExpo 2022, which will be held in October this year. Training of students for the leather and footwear industry of the two countries will begin next year. Contacts are also being actively established with other higher educational institutions of the world.