Tashkent, 7 April 2022 – The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MHSSE), the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Uzbekistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan launched an initiative today aimed at creating new and expanding the existing education opportunities for Afghan citizens, with particular focus on women and youth. Enhanced vocational education and training programmes as well as short-term courses will help citizens of Afghanistan study a range of disciplines, including humanitarian, pedagogical and engineering.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

The new project will be implemented in collaboration with the Education Center for the Training of Afghan citizens in Termez (ECTAC), which has the technical capacity as well as qualified human resources with solid experience in this area. The Centre can also mobilise educational and training resources from relevant institutions of Uzbekistan.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

“The European Union continues to support the Afghan people under the current difficult circumstances. In December 2021, new projects in support of health, education and livelihoods were signed to support Afghans in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, for a value of more than EUR 268 million. This new project is part of the effort and was requested by our Uzbek partners, which confirms a high commitment of Uzbekistan Government and the EU to provide support to Afghan citizens no matter where they are, displaced and away from their motherland for the reasons out of their control. We hope that the project implemented by UNDP, our long-term partner, will ensure that Afghanistan citizens living in Uzbekistan benefit from gaining new knowledge and skills that would help them to improve their livelihoods and support their families before they return to their home country”, said H.E. Charlotte Adriaen, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan.

A total of 345 Afghan citizens will receive education grants, as well as diplomas and certificates upon completion of training programs under the project:

- 145 Afghan students, including 24 women who are currently studying at ECTAC, will continue their education;

- 100 Afghans will be trained within a one-year TVET program;

- 100 Afghans will benefit from short-term professional courses.

The European Union has allocated €1 million for the initiative, which will be implemented by UNDP in 2022. 

The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education is a key national partner in the implementation of the project.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

“It is very important to provide opportunities to Afghanistan citizens temporarily residing in Uzbekistan. This will allow young Afghan citizens to acquire skills and specialties to secure livelihoods,” said H.E. Komiljon Karimov, First Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan. 

This initiative will create opportunities to further strengthen the potential of the ECTAC and eventually turn it into an Education Hub for Afghanistan, which will open the doors for Afghan citizens to access education services from a wide range of universities, institutions and colleges in Uzbekistan. ECTAC will become a platform to establish an EU Knowledge Centre and launch an online distance learning tool within it.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

“The initiative we have launched today is not only about empowering the Afghan citizens with essential knowledge, skills and competencies to increase their opportunities for employment and integration into active social and economic life in Uzbekistan. It is a much broader and systemic effort aimed at improving resilience and livelihoods of the communities in the south of Uzbekistan, thus contributing to social cohesion and sustainable development of the region. We expect Surkhandarya region to benefit from our approach on integrated, people-centered, and inclusive regional development,” said Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan at the launch ceremony.

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan