On April 22, NJIT inaugurated the “Central Asia Innovative Center for Integrated Industry-University-Research-Application” in partnership with Nanjing Vocational Institute of Transport Technology (China), Osh State University (Kyrgyzstan), Jizzakh Polytechnic Institute (Uzbekistan), CCSP (China), Transport Department of the Jizzakh Region of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan), LLC “Kyrgyz Unaa Kurulush” (Kyrgyzstan) and other organizations. The center aims to advance educational collaboration and deepen ties between China and Central Asia, particularly in engineering and applied sciences.

Sun Aiwu, Chairman of University Council opened the event by addressing the growing significance of China-Central Asia educational cooperation, encouraging interdisciplinary integration and innovation. Sun presented three key initiatives for the center: First, Strengthening Integration and Strategic Cooperation: Leveraging shared resources, research capabilities, and practical expertise to foster collaborative development in critical technologies and applied research. Second, Expanding International Collaboration: Establishing multidimensional, multi-level models encompassing resource sharing, joint research, academic discussions, and talent mobility, creating a vibrant international partnership environment. Third, Innovation-Driven Development: Building an agile and efficient pipeline for the rapid application of research outcomes, fostering innovation that bridges theory with practical applications.

Zhang Yi, Chair of University Council of Nanjing Vocational Institute of Transport Technology, shared the institution’s focus on skill development for Central Asian regions, emphasizing the significance of industry-academia collaboration. Kudaiberdi Kozhobekov, Rector of Osh State University, and Yuan Zhizhou, President of CCSP, also expressed commitment to fostering multicultural education and interdisciplinary training, with a vision to promote sustainable talent development and broaden cooperation across cultural and economic fields between China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries.

The online segment of the event included speeches from international guests, including Jamshid Abdunazarov, Vice-Rector of Jizzakh Polytechnic Institute, Alijon Baratov, Deputy Head of the Transport Department, Transport Department of the Jizzakh Region of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Topchubaev Asylbek, President of LLC “Kyrgyz Unaa Kurulush” in Kyrgyzstan, who shared their excitement about future collaborations.

With the formal unveiling of the Central Asia Innovative Center for Integrated Industry-University-Research-Application, the partnership between NJIT and Central Asian institutions sets the stage for enriched educational and research collaborations for international educational outreach and innovation.