Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations, European Union and UNESCO showcased major achievements and future plans at the fifth Project Steering Committee Meeting with government and partner organizations for the EU-funded project Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan.
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations with UNESCO held the fifth Project Steering Committee Meeting within the project Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan, funded by the European Union on 11 August in Tashkent. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Water resources, Employment and Labor Relations, the European Union to the Republic of Uzbekistan and other project stakeholders.
The Committee discussed the project progress and achievements made so far in 2023 and the priorities ahead. The Project team also presented the planned public outreach activities, including the communication and advocacy campaign within the project entitled Build your Future Skills to promote the value of professional skills development in the agriculture and irrigation sectors and to encourage rural youth to enroll in the pilot colleges in 4 regions in the country.
Ms. Sara Noshadi, UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan, in her welcoming remarks, mentioned that the project achievements are a positive indicator for a fruitful realization of the project objectives, namely to positively influence the welfare of rural communities and empower rural youth with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century. She also thanked the European Union for its support and the government of Uzbekistan for its commitment and collaboration. She further stated that: “UNESCO is proud to be implementing this project and we believe that by investing in human capital, especially of youth, we can contribute to the sustainable development and social cohesion of Uzbekistan.”
Acting Head of Cooperation of the European Union to the Republic of Uzbekistan Alexander Zenebe highlighted that: “EU remains committed to supporting the efforts by the Government of Uzbekistan in the area of education reform, and especially TVET for agriculture and irrigation through EU-UNESCO project on skills development. I would like also to take this opportunity to mention that EU has declared 2023 as the “European Year of Skills”, which goes very well with the “Year of Human care and Quality Education” here in Uzbekistan. It makes this project important and timely”.
This Project Steering Committee Meeting was the fifth meeting since the start of the project in 2020. The meeting is a regular platform for dialogue and coordination among the project partners and stakeholders with the objectives to take stock of achievements, discuss the challenges and opportunities, and to plan for next steps and priorities for improving the project outcomes and impact.
