CEHD Begins Education Partnership with Uzbekistan

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Texas A&M University took its first step toward a new international partnership to promote education, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States.

On August 3, Ambassador Javlon Vakhabov took part in a signing ceremony at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center with leaders from Texas A&M and CEHD.

The MOU indicates both sides will explore a potential collaborative educational agreement for research and development programs related to education leadership and dual language acquisition. There is also the potential for teacher professional development programs for The Embassy through CEHD’s Education Leadership Research Center (ELRC) and Center for Research and Development in Dual Language and Literacy Acquisition (CRDLLA).

“The professional development that we do is research-based and includes virtual mentoring and coaching, virtual professional development, virtual professional learning communities, and virtual professional leadership learning communities,” said Dr. Beverly Irby, who is Director of ELRC, Co-Director of CRDLLA and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in CEHD.

(left to right) Dr. Rafael Lara-Alecio, Dr. Beverly Irby, Ambassador Javlon Vakhabov, Dr. Susan Ballabina and Dr. Michael A. de Miranda sign Memorandum of Understanding between CEHD and The Embassy of Uzbekistan in the U.S.

Both The Embassy and CEHD will look for avenues to further academic excellence in the United States and Uzbekistan. Dr. Michael A. de Miranda, Dean of CEHD, spoke about the importance of this partnership. “The establishment of this land grant university was founded on the dream that every person would be able to get an education. We look forward to partnering with [The Embassy] to achieve that dream for citizens and young people in this country and theirs,” he said.

Ambassador Vakhabov gifted Dr. Susan Ballabina, Texas A&M Chief External Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President for Academic and Strategic Collaborations, with a jewelry box handmade by prominent masters in Uzbekistan from walnut, using centuries-old traditions of wood carving. “I’m here to explore those unlimited opportunities between Texas A&M and my home country,” he said. “Thank you very much for your support and trust.” On behalf of Texas A&M, Dr. Ballabina gifted the Ambassador with a portrait of the University’s historic Academic Building. She also thanked the “amazing scholars” who initiated contact and made this partnership possible.

The Ambassador also gifted CEHD Dean de Miranda with a coin commemorating 30 years since the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States opened in Washington, D.C.

CEHD has now signed MOUs with schools, universities, embassies and ministries of education in Uzbekistan, Kenya, Cambodia, China, Mexico and Qatar. It now looks to establish education partnerships with other countries around the world. “The College of Education and Human Development is leading with excellence and our international development speaks well to both the impact Texas A&M is having globally and the robust international reputation the CEHD is rapidly building,” said Dr. Matthew Etchells, Director of Education Outreach and International Partnerships for ELRC and CRDLLA.

Dr. Fred Nafukho, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in CEHD added, “International education partnerships of this nature will go a long way to benefit our students, faculty and staff.”

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.