The Namangan Region and the Austrian University of Applied Sciences IMC Krems plan to deepen their partnership in vocational and dual education, including training specialists for the hotel and tourism sectors.
A delegation led by Heinz Boer, founder of IMC Krems and chairman of its supervisory board, arrived in the Namangan region. This was reported by the information service of the Namangan regional administration. The Governor of the Namangan Region, Shavkatjon Abdurazzakov, received the Austrian delegation.
During the meetings, the parties discussed training specialists and trainers in hotel management according to international standards, as well as applying Austrian experience in the professional education system.
As part of the visit, Heinz Boer and Udo Christian Brendl, head of the university's research and innovation department, visited Vocational College No. 1 in the Chartak district. The guests familiarized themselves with the institution's curricula, infrastructure facilities, training workshops, and laboratories.
It is planned to introduce educational programs based on Austrian experience, with further development of the dual education model. The parties also paid special attention to strengthening ties between educational institutions and industry.
According to Abdulakhad Gafforov, head of the Department of Vocational Education, schools specializing in international hotel management are being established in Namangan within an agreement with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, based on Austria's dual education system. The visit to Vocational College No. 1 was part of this work.
Further interaction with Austrian vocational education organizations, joint educational initiatives, exchange of teachers and students, international internships, and the development of practice-oriented learning were also discussed.
The Austrian delegation also visited the Axikent Archaeological Park, where they learned about current work on development and the creation of open museums. Heinz Boer noted the impressive scale of the Eternal City project and expressed confidence that this area could become a tourist center in the future.
A separate working meeting with representatives of IMC Krems was held at the Oydin Plaza Hotel. Attendees included Deputy Governor of the Namangan Region Khondamir Akhunbabaev, Heinz Boer, and Udo Christian Brendl. Participants once again discussed training personnel for the tourism industry, launching joint educational programs, and integrating education with practical training.
This cooperation was preliminarily prepared by a visit of a Uzbek delegation to Austria from September 27 to October 2. The delegation included A. Khalikov, director of Vocational College No. 1 in the Chartak district. During this visit, the parties exchanged experiences in vocational education and signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation.
The agreements reached provide for the further development of practical and dual education, exchange of experience, and training of qualified specialists for the tourism and hotel sectors in the Namangan Region.