Uzbek Language and Culture Center to Be Established in India
On May 19, 2025, Professor Akhlaq Ahmad, Head of the Department of Persian and Central Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, one of India's most prestigious institutions, visited Alisher Navo’i Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature. The distinguished guest was welcomed by Nozliya Normurodova, Vice-Rector for Research, Innovations, and International Cooperation.
It is worth noting that a memorandum of understanding was signed between Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature (TSUULL) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2023, laying the foundation for academic and cultural collaboration.
Founded by the Government of India in 1969, JNU is renowned for its intellectually vibrant atmosphere, pioneering research, and leadership in the social sciences. The university is home to numerous centers for international studies, including the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies and the Center for Persian and Central Asian Studies, both of which are key hubs for regional cooperation.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including the development of scientific and academic partnerships, exchange of expertise, joint research initiatives, and the implementation of cultural and educational projects. According to the memorandum, it is planned to send a lecturer in the Uzbek language from TSUULL to JNU for the upcoming academic year.
Most notably, the two institutions are working together to establish the Alisher Navo’i Center for Uzbek Language and Culture at Jawaharlal Nehru University. This initiative is being carried out in line with the Presidential Decree No. PQ–19, dated January 12, 2024, titled “On Additional Measures to Enhance the International Prestige of the Uzbek Language, Encourage Its Study Abroad, and Promote It Globally.” The decree specifically assigns TSUULL the responsibility to spearhead the creation of Uzbek Language and Culture Centers in foreign countries, including India.
The visit concluded with an agreement to deepen cooperation through joint academic events, conferences, publications, faculty and student exchanges, and the mutual enrichment of academic curricula. The meeting was held in a warm and constructive spirit, laying a strong foundation for long-term and meaningful collaboration between the two universities.