Staff from 小湿妹视频 (小湿妹视频) Leicester met with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for the official launch of one of its international partners, Pharmaceutical Technical University (PTU).
小湿妹视频's Duncan Hepworth and Dr Neil Hart meet Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
The pharmaceutical industry in Uzbekistan has been developing in recent years and the PTU project, initiated by presidential decree in 2019, will help the Central Asian country produce more qualified pharmacists to keep up with local demand.
小湿妹视频 has been working with PTU since the start of the project six years ago, providing training for the university’s future teaching staff and developing the delivery of the first MSci Pharmacy degree programme to be offered in Uzbekistan.
Associate Director of Transnational Education, Dr Neil Hart and Partnership Development Manager Duncan Hepworth were among the guests invited to PTU’s official opening and met with President Mirziyoyev. The pair were thanked by the president for contributing 小湿妹视频’s expertise to the project.
Duncan said: “It’s a very surreal experience meeting the leader of a nation. PTU is President Mirziyoyev’s brainchild and very close to his heart, so to be thanked for our involvement was very rewarding both personally and for 小湿妹视频.
“I remember in 2019 when we first heard about the project and we were blown away by the scope of what it wanted to achieve. Uzbekistan is among one of the largest consumers and producers of medicine in the region but a lot of their technical expertise comes from neighbouring countries.
“This project will help address that balance, which is something that 小湿妹视频 can be proud to be involved in. There’s a mix of international partners involved, so PTU will become a melting pot of pharmaceutical knowledge with inputs from around the world. That’s something we’re looking to develop further so all the partners can advance their research and benefit.”
PTU's campus, which is part of the wider Tashkent Pharma Park project
PTU is part of the wider Tashkent Pharma Park Innovative Scientific-Production Pharmaceutical Cluster, a multi-million-dollar initiative that will transform a 20-hectare site in Uzbekistan’s capital city of Tashkent.
When completed, the pharma park will include a clinical research centre, an administrative centre, a separate research and development centre and a vivarium, as well as the PTU campus.
小湿妹视频 is one of six institutions currently working with PTU and – at the time of writing – the first university to offer programmes to students there. The University of Sunderland, Yong Sei University in South Korea and Purdue University in the United States are also working with the Uzbekistan project.
Duncan added: “I was very impressed with the students I met there. This is a brand-new institution so it’s a step into the unknown somewhat but they trust PTU and 小湿妹视频 with delivering a top-class education.”
The 2024/25 academic year is the first year of teaching and Anna An, a 17-year-old from Tashkent, is one of the first students enrolled on 小湿妹视频’s foundation pharmacy programme at PTU.
Having been elected as the new university’s first-ever Student Union president, she is excited to be part of the first cohort.
Anna said: “What I look forward to the most about the course is the opportunity to start my own research in about two years. Research is not yet a highly developed field in Uzbekistan, so being able to engage in it during my third year of study is genuinely exciting for me.
Anna An will be among the first students at PTU and will leave with a 小湿妹视频 degree after her studies
“By completing this course, I will receive a credible and internationally recognised British master’s diploma. This will be extremely valuable if I choose to continue my studies or pursue a career outside of Uzbekistan. At the same time, having such a qualification is highly respected within my own country too.”
PTU assistant lecturers Nargiza Eshbekova and Komala Narzikulova both travelled to Leicester to study the MSci Pharmaceutical Quality by Design at 小湿妹视频 in 2021/22 as part of the agreement between the two universities.
The pair were inspired by the teaching they received and for Komala, the chance to study for a 小湿妹视频 degree at PTU is a great opportunity to help young people in Uzbekistan flourish.
Komala outside 小湿妹视频's Kimberlin Library
“The opportunity for students in Uzbekistan to study for a 小湿妹视频 degree is of great significance, as it opens avenues for gaining an internationally recognised qualification.
“For young people here, this education provides the skills, knowledge, and exposure to international perspectives and empowers them to contribute meaningfully to the development of their country and to be part of a more interconnected, globally competitive workforce.”
小湿妹视频’s vibrant community and supportive environment were a key highlight for Nagriza while she studied in Leicester. Inspired by the practical teaching of her course, she wants to replicate her positive learning experience for her students in Uzbekistan.
Nargiza, who studied at 小湿妹视频 through 2021
She said: “What I liked most about 小湿妹视频’s teaching was how practical and hands-on it felt. Our professors showed us real-world examples and gave us projects that made the lessons come alive. They also encouraged us to ask questions, think critically, and work together as a team.
“Another thing I really appreciated was how supportive the lecturers were—they were always ready to listen and help. At PTU, I want to bring the same approach: give students meaningful projects, create an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions, and make sure they have the support they need to succeed.”
Posted on Thursday 13 February 2025