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SEHD Begins Education Partnership with Uzbekistan

SEHD Begins Education Partnership with Uzbekistan
August 10, 2022 Ruben Hidalgo

SEHD Begins Education Partnership with Uzbekistan


The School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) 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 SEHD.

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 SEHD’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 SEHD.

Texas A&M, SEHD and Uzbekistan leaders sign memorandum of understanding

(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 SEHD and The Embassy of Uzbekistan in the U.S.

 

Both The Embassy and SEHD will look for avenues to further academic excellence in the United States and Uzbekistan. Dr. Michael A. de Miranda, Dean of SEHD, 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 gifts Dr. Susan Ballabina with jewelry box from Uzbekistan

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.

coin commemorating embassy of Uzbekistan in U.S. 30th anniversary

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

SEHD 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 School 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 SEHD 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 SEHD 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.

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