Uzbekistan Steps onto the Venetian Stage with New Cultural Corner!
As part of a growing wave of international academic collaboration, Dr. Nozliya Normurodova, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovations and International Cooperation at the Alisher Navoiy Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, and Durdona Ermatova, a teacher of “Uzbek School,” visited the prestigious Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.
During the visit, Dr. Normurodova delivered a lecture titled “Modern Reforms in Uzbekistan’s Higher Education System: Achievements and Prospects” to students and faculty of Ca’ Foscari. The talk highlighted major reforms taking place in Uzbekistan’s higher education sector, particularly in expanding academic freedom and strengthening international partnerships.
Meanwhile, Durdona Ermatova launched a series of practical workshops on Uzbek language and culture for students at the Department of Asian and North African Studies. Over the course of a month, students will explore the phonetics, grammar, and rich vocabulary of the Uzbek language, while also delving into the vibrant cultural and historical heritage of Uzbekistan—presented through modern pedagogical methods.
A key highlight of the visit was the official opening of the Uzbekistan Corner at Ca’ Foscari University. Decorated with books and traditional souvenirs that reflect the country’s culture, literature, history, and contemporary development, this cultural hub is set to become a beacon for promoting Uzbekistan’s rich heritage among the Italian academic community.
Dr. Normurodova also met with Prof. Antonio Marcomini, Vice-Rector for International Relations and a leading environmental chemistry expert, to discuss further collaborative efforts. Topics included launching a student and faculty exchange program, developing an international platform dedicated to Baburnama, initiating new joint projects beyond Erasmus+, and creating a dual degree program in Hospitality Innovation and E-Tourism—an internationally accredited program at Ca’ Foscari.
Additionally, Dr. Normurodova held talks with Dr. Silvia Burini, Professor of Art History and Director of the CSAR (Center for Studies on Russian Art) at Ca’ Foscari. Dr. Burini has been instrumental in promoting Uzbek art and culture internationally, most recently as the curator of the exhibition “Uzbekistan: Avant-Garde in the Desert”, held in April 2024 in Venice and Florence. The exhibition introduced European audiences to early 20th-century Uzbek artworks from the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan and the Savitsky Museum in Nukus.
The visit is a continuation of the successful Erasmus+ partnership between the two universities. It contributes to enhancing research productivity, integrating innovative technologies in academia, and fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences.
The collaboration is also enriched by long-standing academic ties with renowned Italian Turkologist Dr. Elisabetta Ragagnini, who has repeatedly visited Tashkent State University and delivered lectures on Turkology and the development of the field in Europe.
This initiative plays a vital role in integrating Uzbekistan’s higher education system into the global academic community, elevating the international status of the Uzbek language, and strengthening cultural and diplomatic relations.
