Uzbekistan, Russia Enhance Cooperation in Inclusive Education

The leadership of Uzbekistan's National Agency for Social Protection recently held a meeting with Sergey Tarasov, Rector of Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia.

The key topic of their discussion was the future of training specialists in inclusive and special education, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The parties focused on key areas such as deaf education, typhlopedagogy, speech therapy, and oligophrenopedagogy. The Russian university, with its extensive experience and scientific potential, will play an active role in developing educational programs and enhancing the qualifications of teachers by implementing international standards of inclusive education.

Special attention was given to the development of adaptive physical education and sports as an important tool for the social integration of people with disabilities. Last year, Uzbekistan established the Association of Adaptive Sports, and the university intends to contribute significantly to training specialists in this field. In particular, the university’s Tashkent branch plans to open a Faculty of Adaptive Sports, which will become a center for training coaches and methodologists to work with youth with disabilities.

Alongside educational initiatives, the importance of professional adaptation for graduates was emphasized. The agency expressed its readiness to provide internship opportunities and facilitate the employment of specialists, ensuring a more effective integration into the professional environment.

Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding and cooperation was signed, laying the foundation for further collaboration in social protection and inclusive education.

“Education, adaptive sports, and support for people with special needs are key areas where our countries are joining efforts. This document is not just signatures on paper but the beginning of concrete actions that will change thousands of people’s lives”, Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, the First Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection of Uzbekistan, noted.

The concluded agreement will be an essential milestone in developing the partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia, facilitating the implementation of advanced educational and practical solutions. As a result of this cooperation, a specialist training system will be established to improve the quality of inclusive education and provide people with disabilities with more significant opportunities for learning and successful social integration.