Uzbekistan’s Agency for Presidential Education Institutions signs agreement with Cambridge

PIIMA has developed nation-leading education institutions since 2019, including the Uzbekistan Presidential Schools, the Specialised and Creative Schools, and the New Uzbekistan University. Cambridge has supported PIIMA for as long, collaborating on essential areas in the successful establishment of the Presidential Schools – 14 secondary schools providing children with high-quality education regardless of background:

• the Cambridge curriculum for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) studies,
• teacher professional development,
• school leadership development and
• admissions testing.

Cambridge also supported the first admissions test for the New Uzbekistan University – which opened in 2021 to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship across the nation in natural sciences and humanities. 

Building on this foundation of partnership, the new agreement sets out future cooperation between PIIMA and Cambridge. It consolidates collaboration in the areas of admissions testing for schools and universities, teacher training, curriculum and examination provision, consulting and support, and school leadership training. It sets out opportunities for supporting PIIMA’s new Professional Development Qualifications Centre. The agreement also introduces options for collaboration around publishing development. Cambridge Partnership for Education, the department of Cambridge that works with ministries of education and organisations to improve education systems worldwide, will lead on the work under this agreement.

Hilola Umarova, Director of PIIMA, and Peter Phillips, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, signed the new agreement during the Education World Forum, the largest gathering of Education and Skills Ministers in the world. The signing was attending by representatives from PIIMA and Cambridge, including Gavkhar Ishimova, Head of the Presidential Schools, and representatives from Cambridge Partnership for Education including Jane Mann, Managing Director; Annie Michailidou, Head of Global Engagement; and Steve King, Senior Education Advisor.

Peter Phillips, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: “PIIMA’s vision, speed and pragmatism in implementing vital education reforms - from the sciences and humanities to innovation and entrepreneurship - is inspirational. We are excited to take our partnership in Uzbekistan to the next level, as PIIMA works to deliver on its ambitions for continued improvements in schools, universities, teacher training, curricula, exam provision and school leadership development.”

Hilola Umarova, Director of PIIMA, said: "We would like to express our sincere appreciation for having an opportunity to partner with Cambridge Assessment and sign a new agreement for further collaboration. We believe that Cambridge Assessment is one of our most reliable partners to help us with paving the path for greater success to achieve our vision to build a strong nation with solid foundation. We look forward to extending our contract with Cambridge for years to come and hope we will continue achieving outstanding outcomes."