Chairing the session, Mr. K.D. Dewal, the Charge d’Affaires of India said that the 21st century is the knowledge century. The keenness of the Uzbek youth to learn and acquire knowledge shows that the country has a great future, the release said.

Dr. Jyotsna Bakshi of India Chair at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the coordinator of the course in her summing up remarks said that the course provided a forum for mutually enriching and interactive academic exchange. Leading members of the Uzbek academia along with the Indian experts had given lectures to the course participants encompassing a vast spectrum of subjects. The objective of the programme was to foster mutual understanding between the two countries and create greater awareness of, and share knowledge about each other.

At the conclusion of the course, essay writing and quiz competitions were held. Ms. Tangiberdieva Yulduz, Course III student of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Ms. Bobojonova Dilnoza, Course III student of the Uzbek State World Languages University and Mr. Vizer Andrey, Course IV student of the National University of Uzbekistan were declared the overall winners. Seventeen students were awarded ’A+ with distinction’ for doing particularly well in the competitions, while the others got A+ and A grades.

Mr. Bhargav Mitra Second Secretary Consular at the Embassy of India and the acting Director of the LBSCIC warmly thanked the distinguished scholars, guests and the participants for making the course a shining success.

A number of participants remarked that earlier they knew India largely through the films, but after attending the course, they have a better understanding of various aspects of modern and emerging India. The performance of the participants demonstrated, inter alia, that the Uzbek youth have made great strides in mastering English language.