A delegation from the Fergana region, led by Governor Khayrullo Bozorov, arrived in the Republic of Korea on a working trip. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen interregional trade, economic and investment partnership, as well as develop cooperation in education and modern technologies.
The visit program includes meetings with representatives of the administrations of Goyang and Incheon, the Ganso district, major South Korean companies, and leading higher educational institutions. An interregional forum and business negotiations involving representatives of the business communities of both countries are also planned. Special attention is paid to preparing new investment projects and supporting mutually beneficial initiatives.
Discussion of prospects at Seoul National University
The first stop within the program was Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) in Seoul. Governor Khayrullo Bozorov held talks with University President Kim Dong-hwan, where the parties discussed opportunities for creating partnerships in scientific research and education.
Kim Dong-hwan noted that educational cooperation can contribute to the development of both sides and expressed confidence in significant results from joint work with the Fergana region. He also shared his impressions from his visit to this region in June of this year.
Representatives of SeoulTech gave a presentation to the delegation, detailing the university's educational and research activities. The university specializes, in particular, in natural sciences, modern technologies, artificial intelligence, and information technologies. Thanks to the participation of major companies, modern laboratories have been created at the university, combining theoretical student training with practical skills acquisition.
Khayrullo Bozorov emphasized the need to bring cooperation with SeoulTech to a new level. Among the priorities he highlighted were expanding student and faculty exchanges, implementing joint educational programs, and implementing scientific research and innovation projects.
Particular attention was paid to the possibility of applying SeoulTech's experience in modern technologies, artificial intelligence, and IT in the higher educational institutions of the Fergana region. The parties concluded that this would open up additional opportunities for young people to gain relevant knowledge and practical skills.
SeoulTech is a state university of the Republic of Korea specializing in engineering, information technology, and technological education. The university has a history of 115 years. Currently, about 14,000 students study here, including more than 2,000 international students, 29 of whom are from Uzbekistan.
Previously, a contractual basis for cooperation was established between the Fergana region and SeoulTech. The administration of the Fergana region and the university signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation, and the Fergana Technical University and SeoulTech concluded a memorandum on the implementation of joint educational programs.
The parties agreed to give practical substance to existing agreements, activate the exchange of students and teachers, and jointly work on initiatives in the field of modern mechanical engineering, IT, and technology. Artificial intelligence and information technologies were defined as separate areas for interaction.
During the visit, Khayrullo Bozorov also toured SeoulTech's artificial intelligence centers, research laboratories, and technology park. The university has specialized departments, research centers, and modern laboratories operating in the fields of engineering, IT, and artificial intelligence. In particular, the AI Semiconductor Processing Research Center studies AI semiconductors, software technologies for their design and processing, as well as the training of engineering specialists.
The Industrial Artificial Intelligence Laboratory focuses on the application of AI in industry. Research there covers intelligent management of production processes, equipment failure prediction, quality control, AI agents, and modern automated production systems.
The Digital Twin Laboratory conducts research in digital twins, artificial intelligence, data-driven modeling, as well as smart factory and smart city technologies. Representatives of the Fergana region were presented with current research, as well as the practical implementation of scientific developments in production and specialist training. Special attention was paid to the SeoulTech model, which integrates education, science, business, and production.
The university's technology park is used for developing advanced technologies, supporting innovative initiatives, and practically applying scientific achievements. Dozens of technology companies and research organizations operate on its territory. The possibility of adapting this experience in the Fergana region was also discussed. Specifically, the Fergana Technical University and SeoulTech agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence and information technology. Cooperation will include joint research, creation of modern laboratories, specialist training, experience exchange, and implementation of scientific developments in industrial enterprises.