Creative Industries Development Becomes a Priority for Both Russia and Uzbekistan

The Tourism Development Research Institute under the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Research University Higher School of Economics have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at establishing and strengthening academic, cultural, and other forms of collaboration in the fields of education and tourism. The initiative for this agreement was led by the Institute for Creative Industries Development at HSE University. As part of the agreement, the development of joint educational programs and the implementation of collaborative projects are planned.

International cooperation in education plays a vital role in developing human capital, enhancing scientific potential, and fostering global academic networks. Partnerships between leading educational institutions offer mutual access to advanced teaching methodologies, cutting-edge research practices, and dual-degree programs. These collaborations contribute to the training of highly qualified specialists equipped to meet the demands of the modern labor market.

The first joint project between the parties was the international youth competition “Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Contemporary Design,” launched together with the HSE Art and Design School, the DAFES Association, the "Creative City" platform, and with support from the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which allocated a prize fund of 10 million soums, 7 million soums, and 5 million soums for first, second, and third places, respectively.

Tatyana Abankina, Scientific Director of the Institute for Creative Industries Development at HSE University, Candidate of Economic Sciences:

"The development of creative industries has become a priority for both Russia and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Creative people are the core of the creative economy. The meeting in Vladivostok between colleagues from the HSE Institute for Creative Industries and Uzbekistan, held within the framework of the Russian-Uzbek Educational Forum 'Education in Creative Industries: Shaping the Economy of the Future,' established the foundations for cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in personnel training, the development of network educational programs, and joint projects in the creative sphere.
The educational and scientific resources presented by the Institute for Creative Industries Development generated strong interest among Uzbek colleagues from the Tourism Development Research Institute — primarily the 'Creative City' platform, which will unite educational initiatives, creative projects, and creative people; the regional Genius of Place competition platform; and online and offline programs in 'Management in Creative Industries.'
Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan showed particular interest in HSE University’s methodology and practices for assessing the creative potential of Russian regions.
The development of direct contacts and meetings at the international conference held at HSE’s St. Petersburg campus created opportunities to define specific areas of cooperation and to prepare the Cooperation Agreement between HSE University and the Tourism Development Research Institute of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the educational and scientific spheres."

Valery Gordin, Head of the Laboratory for Culture and Tourism Management at HSE University St. Petersburg:

"The Laboratory for Culture and Tourism Management at HSE University St. Petersburg has already established connections with this institute. Uzbek colleagues visited St. Petersburg to participate in a seminar on cultural heritage, and laboratory specialists attended the 8th International Guide Forum: New Challenges and Ways of Tourism Development, organized by the institute.
We see the most promising areas for future cooperation with the Tourism Institute in joint research on the role of museums in shaping Uzbek and Russian tourism products, as well as in developing a professional training system for museum professionals and tourism industry representatives. This system will help establish effective interaction between these two sectors."

Natalya Logutova, Deputy Director of the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development:

"Developing the tourism appeal of regions, working with cultural heritage, traditional crafts and technologies, and building local brands are major focus areas that become subjects of research and analysis, and are integrated into the educational process for students of all profiles at the Institute for Creative Industries Development and the School of Design at HSE University.
Together, we launched the Creative City platform — a community of professionals in the creative industries and a kind of creative map. It was initially formed through student projects but has already extended beyond the boundaries of HSE and across the world, uniting initiatives from diverse regions and countries.
The platform functions as a continuously operating system of competitions, collecting the best creative practices related to local themes and engaging the international expert community.
We hope that our cooperation with colleagues from the Tourism Development Research Institute of the Republic of Uzbekistan will significantly expand the scope and variety of projects — through both students participating in our joint programs and initiatives focused on the cultural heritage of both countries.
Exchange of experience, joint research, competitions, and exhibitions — we are counting on long-term and fruitful cooperation."
 

Elena Golysheva, Director of the Tourism Development Institute under the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, PhD in Economics, Senior Research Fellow:

"The cooperation agreement — initiated by the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development — marks an important step toward advancing the creative industries, developing joint educational programs, and supporting new youth-led initiatives.
It will accelerate the promotion of cultural heritage, foster the exchange of expertise, and open up opportunities for implementing innovative ideas. This partnership is designed with long-term goals in mind, aiming to enrich both the academic and professional spheres in meaningful ways.
Equally important, it will help us train highly qualified specialists for the creative industries. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to our Russian colleagues for their continued support and collaboration. I am confident that our joint efforts will contribute significantly to the further development of the tourism and creative sectors in both Uzbekistan and Russia.”

Alim Mukhitdinov, Head of the Department for Scientific and Innovative Projects at the Tourism Development Research Institute of Uzbekistan:

"Collaboration with the National Research University Higher School of Economics opens up new opportunities for joint academic and educational work in the fields of tourism and the creative industries. This recent agreement between our institutions is a significant step toward creating an integrated academic platform that embraces cultural, technological, and creative trends in shaping a modern approach to tourism development.
At the Department for Scientific and Innovative Projects, we see great value in the exchange of academic practices, the implementation of joint research, and the launch of educational initiatives and youth competitions — such as ‘The Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Contemporary Design.’ These efforts help showcase the unique cultural heritage of our country and set new benchmarks in preparing professionals for the tourism sector.
We hope this growing partnership will lay the foundation for a sustainable collaboration aimed at generating new knowledge, developing human capital, and promoting Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage on the global stage."