Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 4 July, a solemn event dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage and the graduation ceremony for graduates of the current academic year was held at the Silk Road tourist complex in Samarkand.

The event was opened by the rector of the university, Aziz Abdukhakimov, who delivered a congratulatory speech to 300 graduates of the university.

“Today, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the first International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Central Asia and our country, we are sending new graduates to a greater life. You are waiting for the invaluable opportunities laid down in our updated constitution to receive a modern education, master a profession and take a worthy place in society.

Aziz Abdukhakimov also noted the special attention of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid to the development of the education system.

“Adopting a special state program in 2023, which was called the year of attention to people and quality education, numerous measures are being taken to raise the development of the industry to a new level, increase the role and prestige of teachers and mentors in society. The Government of Uzbekistan annually provides 85 quotas to foreign students for the opportunity to study at the Master’s program at the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. In the 2022/2023 academic year, 8 foreign students were accepted, and in the 2022/2023 academic year, 48 foreign students were admitted,” the rector added.

The Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage was opened in July 2018 in Samarkand. The initiative to open a higher educational institution in the tourism industry was put forward by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the SCO Summit, held in June 2018 in the Chinese city of Qingdao.

Professor Raymond Joseph Hoffman, Vice-Rector for Academic Research of the Silk Road International University of Tourism, spoke about the great successes of the university.

“Teachers from three major departments of the university teach tourism, foreign languages and global studies, so we are the only university in Uzbekistan in this direction. Our students are aware of the trends in tourism, know about the heritage of Samarkand and all of Central Asia, so you have to go a very long way outside of Uzbekistan to find a similar university. Over the past 3 years, he has changed so much, done so much and moved forward.”

During the event, representatives of travel companies and organizations cooperating with the university, active teachers and employees of the university were awarded letters of thanks.

At the end of the event, a solemn ceremony of presenting diplomas to university graduates took place.