2024 High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue was held in Tashkent
On June 24, 2024, the High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue in Central Asia themed "Facilitating GenAI-driven Higher Education Transformation" was successfully held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Policy Dialogue was co-organized by the Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT, IIOE Uzbekistan National Center), the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE), the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office (UNESCO Almaty), and the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI). The event was supported by Uzbekistan's companies: ELINE Press Ltd. and PROINFO Ltd.
The event brought together more than 220 crucial higher education stakeholders from 14 countries in Central Asia and beyond, namely Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, Pakistan and China, including senior officials from the ministries of education, local Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) leadership, representatives of UNESCO HQs and field offices, scholars, industry professionals, and enterprises. The Policy Dialogue was pivotal in fostering constructive exchanges, consolidating promising cases, and providing recommendations to higher education stakeholders in the region and beyond. Furthermore, it supports the creation of relevant policies and action plans for GenAI-driven higher education governance and teaching personnel's professional development at a wide range of levels, including regions, countries, institutions and individual levels.
The Policy Dialogue was structured into three thematic sessions: "Policy and Governance on GenAI in Higher Education at the Regional and National Levels", "Institutional Approach on Policy, Governance and Practice of GenAI" and "AI Literacy and Professional Development for Higher Education Workforce". These sessions facilitated in-depth discussions on various topics, including the opportunities and challenges of GenAI in education, the ethical use of AI, education governance, the formation of multilateral partnerships, and leveraging the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Micro-Certification Project to reskill and upskill higher education workforce.
The event marks an exchange mechanism for multi-stakeholders in the area. During the discussions, attendees explored various policies and initiatives for applying GenAI in higher education. TUIT will prepare a report on the outcomes of the conference, share best practice cases with all parties, and analyse specific local needs and challenges. The launch of Phase II of the Joint Project between UNESCO-ICHEI and UNESCO IITE marked the new stage of joint efforts to drive the digital transformation of higher education in Central Asia in the AI era. Additionally, IIOE introduced the '1+x' GenAI Course Series during the Policy Dialogue to the sub-region and showcased innovative GenAI solutions from enterprises.
Welcome Address and Opening Remarks
On the morning of 24 June, Dr. Sultanov Djamshid, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at TUIT, Uzbekistan, delivered a welcoming address as Conference Chairman, indicating that the event provides a platform for higher education stakeholders in the region and beyond to explore AI integration into higher education. He highlighted the necessity of achieving educational equity and quality through collective efforts and resource sharing.
Dr. Sultanov Djamshid, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at TUIT
In the Opening Remarks, Ms. Sara Noshadi, Director of UNESCO Tashkent Office, emphasised that a multifaceted approach and collaborative efforts between stakeholders are needed to address the challenges of AI in higher education, enhancing investment in digital infrastructure, capacity building, policy development, and fostering a culture of innovation and acceptance across Central Asia. Prof. JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Vice President of Southern University of Science and Technology, China, stressed that the policy dialogue provides a platform to share innovations and form partnerships to shape the future of higher education. Prof. JIN Li called for institutions and organisations from Central Asia and beyond to join the IIOE network and collaborate on the IIOE Micro-Certification Project, addressing the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling the higher education workforce in the GenAI era.
Ms. Sara Noshadi, Director of UNESCO Tashkent Office
Prof. JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, Vice President of Southern University of Science and Technology
Keynote Speeches
The Keynote Speeches were moderated by Prof. Rakhmatullaev Marat, Professor of TUIT; Team Leader of Higher Education Reform Experts in Uzbekistan. Mr. Atayev Azat, Deputy Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, introduced active integration of AI into higher education at the institutional and national levels. The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan collaborated with the UNESCO IITE and experts from leading universities in China to develop and adopt a Cooperation Roadmap for 2024-2025, enhancing the digital transformation of higher education in Turkmenistan. Mr. Abdullaev Sherzod Shavkatovich, Chief Specialist of the Department of ICT Implementation and Digitalization of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; Secretary of the Advisory Council on AI, Uzbekistan, emphasised the strategic importance and investment required to develop LLM across the country. Currently, Uzbekistan has been collaborating with international experts to advance its LLM initiatives and promote technological development. Prof. Dr. Isak Frumin, Head of Observatory of Higher Education Innovations, Constructor University, Germany, emphasised the need to balance higher education and technology applications. He suggested that institutions need to put new technology into action and application first, and in the process ensure effective governance. HEIs need to look more at the opportunities rather than being hung up on risks and challenges. Mr. Borhene Chakroun, Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems Division, UNESCO HQs, highlighted the role of Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in education equity, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Considering AI's growing influence on higher education, the convention promotes the recognition of qualifications and academic mobility, thus fostering innovation and preparing students for the future job market.
Session 1: Policy and Governance on GenAI in Higher Education at the Regional and National Levels
The Session 1 was moderated by Mr. Vikhrov Igor Petrovich, PhD, Member of National Council on AI of Uzbekistan; Head of Department of Advanced Technologies, Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute, Uzbekistan. Dr. Mambetakunov Ulanbek Esenbekovich, Former Minister of Education of Kyrgyzstan; Professor at Kyrgyz National University, Kyrgyzstan, shared regional initiatives to integrate AI into higher education in Kyrgyzstan. Some local institutions have actively promoted the digital transformation of higher education through AI Center, Smart Campus and other programmes. Mr. Makhatov Nursultan, Director of Digitalization Department of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Kazakhstan, showcased the construction of AI infrastructure and ecosystem including Supercomputer, KazLLM and the National AI Platform in Kazakhstan. It is significant to enhance national data collection and create an LLM in the Kazakh language to promote intercultural communication, data security, education and research. Ms. Saprykina Anastasia, Head of the Division for the National Technology Initiative Department of Technological Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Russia, introduced scientific and educational policy for AI education programmes in Russia. She emphasised the role of university-industry collaboration in AI talent cultivation and future employment, as well as synergy from investments in science, education, innovation and management in HEIs' AI strategies. Prof. Botir Boltayevich Elov, Head of Department at Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Uzbekistan pointed out directions for the prospective development of Generative AI in education. Adhering to the human-centred principle, a whole-of-government approach is needed to coordinate the development, agreement and implementation of Generative AI regulations. Ms. SU Rui, Chief of the Knowledge Production and Communication Centre of UNESCO-ICHEI, introduced recent trends in the reskilling and upskilling of higher education workforce, as well as the opportunities and challenges highlighted in the White Paper on Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Ms. SU called for multi-stakeholder cooperation to jointly develop educational resources, and capacity building, thereby forming policy recommendations and practical consensus.
In the roundtable discussion, five experts shared the challenges of AI and policy adoption at the regional and national Levels. Mr. Zhumakulov Zakir Daniyarovich, Vice Rector for Research and International Collaborations, Kazakh National Women's Teacher Training University, Kazakhstan, indicated that Kazakhstan has put forth a project on developing AI for 2024-2029. He also mentioned that some local universities have established AI research centres. Mr. Nizamitdinov Akhlitdin, Deputy Chairman of AI Council of Tajikistan, Senior Machine Learning Engineer of zypl.ai, Tajikistan, noted that Tajikistan approved Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence until 2040, to achieve the fourth national strategy - accelerating the country's industrialisation. On behalf of Prof. Aripov Mirsaid, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Analysis, National University of Uzbekistan, Dr. Sanatbek Matlatipov, Assistant Teacher at National University of Uzbekistan, felt optimistic about the application of Generative AI into the education system, while he also emphasised the need for better data governance. Mr. Narmataliev Mirlan Davlatalyevich, Coordinator of the World Bank Project in the southern region of the Kyrgyz Republic, said that Kyrgyzstan held a large-scale seminar on AI earlier this year, in which government agencies and educational institutions were involved in the discussion of AI applications. Mr. Aneel Salman, OGDCL-IPRI Chair of Economic Security, Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Pakistan, acknowledged AI's transformative impact on education, and underlined the need to upgrade teachers' pedagogical skills related to AI, while addressing data governance, cybersecurity, and inclusive development of AI policies, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. discussed the challenges brought by GenAI, covering aspects such as the digital divide, data governance and cybersecurity.
Roundtable Discussion of Session 1
Session 2:Institutional Approach on Policy, Governance and Practice of GenAI
The Session 2 was moderated by Mr. Lapo Peter, member of IFLA Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania, Kazakhstan. Ms. Lapteva Natalya Evgenievna, Rector of Minsk State Linguistic University, Belarus, described the trends in AI that are enhancing translation efficiency and transforming language learning, and highlighted AI's role in developing educational programmes and enhancing teachers' AI competencies. She also shared scientific and practical labs, quality management of training of graduates, and other innovative practices of AI integration in higher education. Dr. Terentyev Evgeny Andreevich, Director of Institute of Education, Higher School of Economics (HSE), Russia, highlighted the growing awareness and positive attitudes towards Generative AI among students at HSE. He revealed that the integration of education with AI technologies represents the strategic direction of the university's development for the next five years. Prof. Tsatsanashvili Mariam, Director of the Institute for Research on Public Administration at Georgian Technical University, presented the Georgian experience of introducing Generative AI into educational and scientific processes. The responsible use of AI can stimulate human potential. She stressed international partnerships through fundraising and collaboration to enhance AI projects and initiatives. Ms. Karimova Venera, Associate Professor of Department of System Analysis at Moscow Institute of International Relations (Tashkent branch), Uzbekistan, emphasized that AI integration in higher education improves the quality of management, administration, and teaching processes in HEIs. Practical application of AI in executive training can contribute to the creation of innovative educational ecosystems. Mr. Mahmudov Recep Bayramovich, Head of the Department of Digital Systems and Information Security at the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, introduced the significant strides made under the National Strategy for Innovative Development of Turkmenistan. He underscored the importance of establishing robust ethical guidelines for the responsible use of GenAI in education, emphasising the necessity of transparency and accountability in AI governance.
In the roundtable discussion, five experts discussed their institutional blueprint or initiatives to facilitate the effective integration of AI in higher education. Mr. Rakhimov Mekhriddin Fazliddinovich, Head of Department of Computer Systems atTUIT, Uzbekistan, shared that TUIT has established AI-related subjects and projects to train students, and used tools to verify assignment originality, while still awaiting official policy-making on the ethical use of AI. Ms. Kazakbaeva Kanykei, Dean of Startup Projects, Technical School of Innovation, American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, talked about the university's efforts in helping students comprehend AI mechanisms, facilitating teaching personnel to use AI in their work, and encouraging leaders to improve policy-making. Prof. Baigabylov Nurlan, Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology at Eurasian National University, Kazakhstan, stressed that Eurasian National University attaches great importance to the acquisition of AI competencies of students and conducts a lot of courses on AI, which are included in the curricula for postgraduate and doctoral students. Ms. ZHANG Yuyan, Director of Education Research and Training Department, IT Center, Zhejiang University, China, introduced the long history of Zhejiang University in AI education, involving the development of AI courses, the establishment of an AI education and research centre, and the Red Book on AI Literacy for College Students. The "Light of West Lake" Computing Center Project showcased the collaboration between academia, industry and government to enhance the digital transformation of education. Mr. Mehmet Haseki, Managing Director of Mikro Information Handling and Distribution FZE, Turkey, represented the leading role of IEEE in global technology publishing, and mentioned specifically about IEEE's international collaboration to set AI governance standards and support educational curriculum development worldwide, ensuring trustworthy and peer-reviewed content for academia and industry.
Roundtable Discussion of Session 2
Session 3: AI Literacy and Professional Development for Higher Education Workforce
The Session 3 was moderated by Dr. Kamoliddin Shukurov, Associate Professor of Department of Artificial Intelligence at TUIT, Uzbekistan. Mr. SIT Fung, Chief of IIOE Management Centre of UNESCO-ICHEI, indicated that, to empower higher education workforces with AI literacy and digital competencies, UNESCO-ICHEI has launched the IIOE "1+X" GenAI course series this year, which covers fundamental courses and domains like pedagogy, governance, operation and industries, etc.Meanwhile, the IIOE Micro-Certification Project is making continuous efforts to assist higher education workforces in upskilling and reskilling, which allows HEI partners to co-develop IIOE micro courses, and customise and localise Micro-Certification. Ms. Murovana Tatiana, programme specialist from UNESCO IITE, introduced UNESCO's work in relevant fields and emphasized the importance of capacity building. She also reviewed the joint project "Digital Transformation of Higher Education in Central Asia" with UNESCO-ICHEI, and presented future plans. The second phase of this project will take place from May 2024 to May 2026, which aims to promote the effective application of GenAI in teaching, learning, and management in higher education in Central Asia and other Russian-speaking countries. Dr. Normatov Sherbek, Head of Department of Information Library Systems at TUIT, Uzbekistan, shared Smart Classroom Project and its possibilities for training teachers in AI. CreateView Smart Classroom is composed of modern electronic devices and software solutions to facilitate and assist in teaching and learning, showing the collaboration between TUIT, UNESCO-ICHEI, SUSTech and EdTech Company CreateView. Mr. Mehedi Hasan Limon, Vice President of Education Healthcare of Huawei Middle East and Central Asia Enterprise Business Group, introduced the AI-empowered Huawei smart education solution, including smart classrooms, campus ICT infrastructure, scientific research, and talent development, conducive to accelerating digital transformation of higher education across the region. |  |
| Mr. SIT Fung | Ms. Murovana Tatiana |
 |  |
| Dr. Normatov Sherbek | Mr. Mehedi Hasan Limon |
In the roundtable discussion, four experts explored innovative approaches to professional development for the higher education workforce in the AI era. Ms. Alpysbayeva Meirgul, National Education Programme Specialist, UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, introduced UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers, which acts as a tool to guide teacher training on the use of ICT across the education system. Ms. CAO Ruoqi, International Development and Course Cooperation Manager, Research Director, XuetangX, Tsinghua University; Research Analyst, Online Education Research Center, Ministry of Education, China, shared the experience of Tsinghua University in promoting the application of AI in higher education and felt confident in the strategic roles GenAI and online education could play in equitable education. Mr. NI Parviz, MAXHUB Overseas Business Development Manager, Seewo, China, discussed the challenges facing current higher education at present, namely, the lack of personalised education for students, the insufficient resources for teachers, and the inadequate development of management courses in the field. Prof. Ignatyev Nikolay, Head of Department of Artificial Intelligence, National University of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan, emphasised the critical need to develop a comprehensive knowledge-based model aimed at enhancing teachers' AI literacy.
Roundtable Discussion of Session 3
 |  |
| Ms. Alpysbayeva Meirgul | Ms. CAO Ruoqi |
 |  |
| Mr. NI Parviz | Prof. Ignatyev Nikolay |
Closing Remarks
As the conference concluded, two speakers from the event's co-organisers delivered closing remarks. Prof. Rakhmatullaev Marat, Professor of TUIT, Team Leader of Higher Education Reform Experts in Uzbekistan, expressed gratitude to all attendees and extended special thanks to the speakers for their excellent presentations. He noted that the 2024 High-Level Policy Dialogue in Central Asia was a successful international conference held in Uzbekistan, promoting cooperation and exchanges among multiple stakeholders in the region. This event has not only facilitated meaningful dialogue but also strengthened the collaborative efforts necessary for advancing higher education in Central Asia and beyond. Prof. LIANG Jiansheng, Executive Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, pointed out that the policy dialogue represents a fertile ground for generating new ideas, fostering cooperation, and exploring the future directions of higher education. The IIOE Micro-certification Project is dedicated to enhancing the digital competency and AI literacy of the higher education workforce. Prof. LIANG called for collective action in the co-development of the project and expressed his vision for co-shaping an educational landscape that embraces the transformative power of AI.
Prof. Rakhmatullaev Marat, Professor of TUIT, Team Leader of Higher Education Reform Experts in Uzbekistan
Prof. LIANG Jiansheng, Executive Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI
The Policy Dialogue is a significant and collaborative effort by UNESCO-ICHEI and its partners in Central Asia, reflecting their shared commitment to fostering responsible integration and innovative solutions within the higher education sector while expanding and strengthening the IIOE partnership ecosystem. In the future, UNESCO-ICHEI will enhance collaboration with multi-stakeholders in Central Asia and beyond, leveraging the IIOE Micro-Certification Project to empower HEIs in realising their digital transformation strategies and to support the reskilling and upskilling of higher education workforce across the sub-region.
