Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The El-yurt Umidi Foundation and Australia’s UTS College have signed a cooperation agreement on scholarship programmes for Uzbek students. The first six scholarship recipients will begin their studies at the college in late 2026.
UTS College became the first Australian educational institution offering university pathway programmes to sign a scholarship cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan.
A delegation from the El-yurt Umidi Foundation visited UTS College in Australia. The delegation included First Deputy Director Davron Abdurashidov, Head of the International Academic Cooperation and Protocol Department Shandorbek Samaridinov, and Chief Legal Counsel Bakhtiyorjon Kushmurodov.
UTS College was represented at the meeting by CEO Morwenna Shahani and Executive Director of Future Student Engagement Peter Harris.
The sides discussed creating opportunities for talented scholarship recipients to study in Australia, acquire skills in demand in the labour market and apply their knowledge after graduation to Uzbekistan’s development.
Particular attention was paid to prospects for further partnership, student support and developing educational pathways aligned with the country’s future demand for qualified specialists.
The El-yurt Umidi Foundation is responsible for international scholarship programmes and professional training. To date, the organisation has sent more than 2,200 scholarship recipients to 45 countries. Australia will become a new destination under the programme, with six students forming the foundation’s first group of scholarship recipients to study in the country.
A memorandum of understanding between UTS College and the El-yurt Umidi Foundation is at the centre of the cooperation. The document provides for collaboration under scholarship programmes, campus familiarisation visits, guidance on educational pathways and support with applications.
The sides also intend to implement joint educational initiatives and capacity-building programmes.
UTS College CEO Morwenna Shahani said the college looked forward to successful cooperation with the foundation and to welcoming its first group of Uzbek students.
“We are delighted to partner with the El-yurt Umidi Foundation and look forward to welcoming our first students into the UTS College community.
“They have an exciting year of study ahead of them with us, during which they will develop the confidence, capabilities and understanding of their next steps needed to successfully navigate the challenges of today’s world,” she said.
According to UTS College Executive Director of Future Student Engagement Peter Harris, the partnership is aimed at preparing graduates in line with Uzbekistan’s future workforce needs.
“Together, we can create a structured educational pathway that enables Foundation-supported students to receive an international education and continue their studies towards a UTS degree,” he said.
The first scholarship recipients will study at the UTS College campus in central Sydney. Students will have access to modern facilities, academic support, language programmes, career counselling, as well as sports and social activities.
UTS College has been helping international students prepare for further university study for more than 30 years, providing a foundation for their academic and personal development.
