December 3, 2025

President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) Erol Özvar joined the delegation led by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) Prof. Numan Kurtulmuş during an official visit to Uzbekistan, where he attended the graduation ceremony of the Ibn Sina Faculty of Medicine of Bukhara under the University of Health Sciences.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Bukhara International Sports Complex, Özvar stated that the International Turkic States University—established in Uzbekistan with the support of Türkiye’s long-established universities—has begun offering education of international standards across a wide range of fields, from engineering and health sciences to information technologies and agriculture. “This university marks an important step toward our goal of establishing a common higher education area across the Turkic world,” he said.

Highlighting that the International Turkic States University stands as one of the strongest symbols of academic cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan, Özvar added, “Founded through the joint will of our President, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, this university—just like the one here in Bukhara—is among the most visionary projects in the higher education sphere of the Turkic world.”

“Our collaborative efforts demonstrate our mutual resolve to advance into the future side by side”

Özvar emphasized that both the Ibn Sina Faculty of Medicine in Bukhara and the International Turkic States University represent strategic investments not only for two brotherly nations but for the shared future of the entire Turkic world. He noted that the young people who will graduate from these institutions will carry cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries even further.

Stating that Türkiye and Uzbekistan are two brotherly states united by a common historical and civilizational heritage, Özvar said, “Our collaborative efforts demonstrate our mutual resolve to advance into the future side by side. The deepening academic dialogue and comprehensive cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan reflect a strong and shared vision.”

Özvar described the Ibn Sina Faculty of Medicine as a valuable product of this shared vision, adding that the faculty aims to elevate medical education in Uzbekistan to international standards and contribute to improving the quality of healthcare services.

He also underlined that the Turkic Universities Union—operating under the Organization of Turkic States—has significant potential as a platform for cooperation between universities of both countries. Özvar noted that more than 60 universities from Türkiye are members of the Union and that Turkish and Uzbek universities already maintain close communication, which they aim to strengthen further.

Özvar to the graduates: “Let science be your compass and compassion the guiding light on your path”

Addressing the newly graduated students, President Özvar said:

“Today, you celebrate your graduation, but you also assume a great responsibility. Medicine is a sacred profession grounded in healing human suffering, compassion, and selflessness. Let science be your compass, and let love for humanity be the guiding light that illuminates your journey. Believe in yourselves, practice your profession with integrity, and never tire of working. Both Türkiye and Uzbekistan have full confidence in you.”

Concluding his remarks, Özvar expressed his hope that the Ibn Sina Faculty of Medicine and the International Turkic States University would continue to strengthen the friendship between the two countries and the shared future of the Turkic world.

During his visit to Uzbekistan, Özvar also met with the rectors of Uzbek universities.