A ceremony was held at the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road" in Samarkand to open a joint Chinese-Uzbek scientific and technological laboratory for archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.

The event was attended by the rector of the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road," Aziz Abdukhakimov, the Secretary of the Communist Party of China's Shaanxi Province, Zhao Yide, the Vice President of Northwest University, Chang Jiang, and others.

For information, the laboratory is being organized at the Samarkand campus of the International Academy of Tourism under the auspices of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) at the initiative of the Northwest University of the People's Republic of China. The laboratory consists of 2 parts, specializing in biochemical research and the study of animal bones, where you can explore any materials of archaeological excavations found on the territory of Uzbekistan.

During the event, issues of cooperation between Northwest University of China and the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road" in Samarkand were discussed.

"It can be confidently said that the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage 'Silk Road' has become the flagship university in the field of tourism in our country today," said Aziz Abdukhakimov at the opening of the event. "The university's cooperation with China in the field of education is growing every year. Cooperation with Northwest University is also very important for us," added the rector.

Vice President of Northwest University Chang Jiang spoke about the prospects for cooperation.

"We are very pleased with our cooperation with the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage 'Silk Road'," said Chan Jiang. "At present, 51 Uzbek students study at our university. The construction of our joint laboratory at the 'Silk Road' University is coming to an end. Exchange of experts and experience also continues. I hope that cooperation between our universities will continue for a long time," added the Vice President.

During his visit, Mr. Chan Jiang noted that Northwest University has close ties and broad directions of cooperation with the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road."

"We highly value our mutual cooperation. Our goal is to set a benchmark for cooperation between educational institutions in the 'One Belt, One Road' countries, thus promoting cultural exchange and mutual education between China and Uzbekistan," said Chan Jiang.

It should be noted that the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road" established cooperation with foreign universities in the early years of its activity. In particular, with such higher education institutions of the People's Republic of China as the Beijing International University of Science, Sibei University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shanghai University of Tourism, Zhijiang International University of Science, Sanya University, and Guilin Institute of Tourism.

As a result of this cooperation, three students from the "Silk Road" University are studying at the Zhijiang International University of Science in China under the international exchange program based on a grant.

Also, in the first half of 2023, 12 students received HSK level 3 certificates in Chinese language. As a result, three students won a grant from Guilin Institute of Tourism, five from Nanjing University, and four from Sibei University.

For information, the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road" has also established cooperation with well-known universities in the field of tourism in the USA, Italy, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, France, Canada, and other countries.