Ajou University Produces First Graduates at Uzbekistan AUT Campus

Graduated a total of 328 students
Departments of Construction Systems Engineering, Architecture, and Electronic Engineering, etc.

Ajou University has produced its first graduates at 'Tashkent Ajou (AUT)', a campus established in Uzbekistan.

The first AUT graduation ceremony was held on the 26th at the AUT campus located in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. AUT and Ajou University officials attended alongside 328 graduates and their families.

Opened in February 2021 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, AUT combines the hardware such as land and buildings provided by the Uzbek government with Ajou University's educational system and expertise.

At this first graduation ceremony, AUT produced graduates from three departments: Construction Systems Engineering, Architecture, and Electronic Engineering. There were 114 graduates from Construction Systems Engineering, 99 from Architecture, and 115 from Electronic Engineering, totaling 328 graduates. These three departments operate as Ajou University degree programs, and students who complete these programs receive degrees from Ajou University.

[Photo by Ajou University]

On this day, Ajou University President Choi Ki-joo personally attended the graduation ceremony to present diplomas and encourage the students. Muratov Gayrat Azatovich, AUT President, Kim Byung-kwan, AUT Vice President, Oh Seok-gyu, Head of the Department of Architecture, Shin Young-seok, Head of the Department of Construction Systems Engineering, and Jo Jung-yeol, Head of the Department of Electronic Engineering also took the stage to encourage the graduates.

In his graduation address, President Choi said, "Ajou University, born over 50 years ago based on a partnership between Korea and France, continues the tradition of global education, culture, and technology exchange through collaboration with AUT. I congratulate the historic first graduating class and hope that the experiences and knowledge gained at the university will become valuable assets for your future."

In his graduation address, AUT President Azatovich said, "I am confident that our graduates will continue to move forward with the confidence and pride they have built through their university life. I wish all graduates even greater success."

Uktamov Shakhboz, who served as student council president, said, "It was an honor to play an important role in founding and building the student council over the past four years as student council president," adding, "My time at AUT was a continuous series of challenging and productive moments not only academically but in many other ways."

Graduates who received focused guidance based on the curriculum designed by Ajou University faculty are expected to demonstrate their accumulated capabilities by joining local major companies and global corporations. Many cases of continuing studies through local Uzbek and overseas education have also emerged. In addition to 17 graduates entering graduate schools of Korean universities including Ajou University and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), about 40 others are entering master's programs at universities in Germany, Poland, Russia, and Malaysia.

As of September this year, AUT has 1,476 students enrolled from first to fourth year. The Ajou University degree programs include the Architecture Department, Civil and Construction Engineering Department, and Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. AUT degree programs include the English Philology & Management Department, Korean Philology & Management Department, IT-Business Department, and Interior Design Department.

A total of 10 Ajou University faculty members, including Vice President Kim Byung-kwan, have been dispatched to AUT and are conducting lectures together with 68 locally hired faculty members. For Ajou University degree programs, all classes are conducted in English and operated based on Ajou University's curriculum, with degrees awarded by Ajou University. For AUT degree programs, the curriculum designed by Ajou University is used, and AUT degrees are awarded.

To establish AUT, Ajou University signed an agreement with the Uzbekistan Ministry of Higher Education in April 2019 and opened AUT in February 2021. Ajou University and AUT students interact through the Ajou International Summer School (AISS) held on Ajou University’s campus during summer vacation and the AUT International Winter School held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan during winter vacation.