Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) is expanding cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan in education, research, and industry-academia collaboration in advanced technology fields. As part of these efforts, Kookmin University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry on Thursday, September 17, at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Seoul to promote cooperation in advanced technologies and industry-academia collaboration.

The agreement was pursued to translate into concrete action the areas of cooperation discussed during the September 10 visit to Kookmin University by Jamol Tilloyevich Makhsudov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Kookmin University President Jeong Seung Ryul met with Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who was visiting Korea on the occasion of the Korea-Central Asia Summit 2026, to discuss specific directions for future cooperation.

President Jeong Seung Ryul and Byoung Joon Kim, Director of International Affairs at Kookmin University, held discussions with Minister Sherzod Shermatov and Alisher Abdusalomov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea, exchanging views on ways to cultivate talent and promote industry-academia collaboration in advanced technology fields, including artificial intelligence (AI) and software. In particular, the two sides shared the view that it is important to develop practical cooperation models involving universities, government, and industry in both countries by linking advanced industries in which Korea has competitive strengths with Uzbekistan’s digital transformation policies.

Based on the agreement, the two sides plan to explore a wide range of opportunities for cooperation, including the cultivation of highly skilled professionals in advanced technology fields, educational and research exchanges, and industry-linked programs. In particular, they aim to expand the foundation for cooperation by connecting the university’s education and research capabilities with industry so that young people in both countries can develop the expertise and practical skills required for future industries.
 

The agreement is also significant in that it expands Kookmin University’s existing cooperation with the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (TUIT) into a government-level network. On September 10, Kookmin University signed an agreement with TUIT to promote education and industry-academia collaboration in the fields of AI and software. The two universities have also maintained exchanges in advanced technologies, including jointly organizing the international academic conference “ICISCT 2024” in 2024.

President Jeong Seung Ryul said, “This agreement will provide an opportunity for Kookmin University to build a substantive partnership with Uzbekistan based on the capabilities we have accumulated in advanced technology fields, including AI and software. We will continue to develop a wide range of programs that connect education and research with industry and contribute to cultivating global professionals who will lead the future industries of both countries.”
 

Meanwhile, as it marks its 80th anniversary, Kookmin University is strengthening its global capabilities and networks based on its mid- to long-term development strategy, “KMU VISION 2035: EDGE.” To this end, the university is expanding the scope of its partnerships beyond overseas universities to include government agencies and industry, while continuing to broaden its global cooperation platform encompassing international joint research, global talent development, and industry-academia collaboration.