Ambassador Hosts Science and Technology Tea with IVLP Alumni

From left to right: Umida Akbarova, Odilkhudja Parpiev, AMB Krol and Rustam Saidov. (U.S. Embassy photo)

On June 6, Ambassador Krol hosted a tea at his residence for three members of the Government of Uzbekistan’s Committee for Coordination of Science and Technology Development (CCSTD) who participated in a March IVLP program focused on science and innovation policy in the United States. The single-country program was designed to enhance their understanding of the role and relationships between the scientific business community, research institutions, and the federal government, and to discuss ongoing collaborative scientific project and prospects for enhanced cooperation in science and technology between the U.S. and Uzbekistan.
While in the United States, the delegation visited Washington, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Albany, and New York to cover a broad range of science and innovation policy related topics, including, among others, federal government support for scientific research, the patent process, commercialization, science networking, venture capitalism and science education. The delegation also met with both USG and non-government agencies such as State’s OES bureau, USDA-Agricultural Research Services (ARS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and CRDF Global, who are currently engaged in cooperative projects on science and technology with Uzbekistan.
During the tea, the Committee members remarked they are currently in the process of following up with many of the contacts they made during the visit, including with the American Association of Microbiology, Carnegie-Mellon University, New York University and the state of New York’s Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). Odilkhudja Parpiev, executive director of the CCSTD, said that furthering science and technology collaboration with the U.S. remains a key priority for the Committee. Of particular importance, he emphasized, is the development of Uzbekistan’s young scientists and researchers though joint workshops and trainings.