Baku: On August 23, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi in Tashkent. The heads of state first cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the higher education institution. President Ilham Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also planted a tree in the courtyard of the university.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were briefed on the history of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi and the facilities available there. The university, which began as the Tashkent Pedagogical Institute in 1935, has evolved significantly over the years. In 1947, it was renamed the Tashkent State Pedagogical Institute named after Nizami, and since 1998, it has operated as the Tashkent State Pedagogical University named after Nizami.

The university comprises six higher pedagogical schools, a Joint Education Higher School, and a master's department. There are 33 departments offering 38 bachelor's degree programs and 31 master's degree programs. The university has a faculty of 730 teachers and scientific-pedagogical staff members, with more than 17,000 students enrolled. Among these are six Azerbaijani citizens and 250 students from 13 countries.

International collaboration is a key focus for the university. It has established partnerships with 15 international educational organizations and 127 universities across 20 countries, including UNESCO and UNICEF. The university runs 12 joint educational programs and hosts four international educational and cultural centers representing Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and China.

The National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi has signed memorandums of understanding with several Azerbaijani institutions, including the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and Baku State University, among others. These agreements facilitate joint scientific research, international conferences, and academic exchanges.

Currently, a new campus is under construction in 'New Tashkent,' covering 40 hectares. The project includes academic buildings with a capacity for 20,000 people and dormitories for 5,000 students. The campus will also feature the Nizami Ganjavi Museum and the university's history museums.

The opening ceremony concluded with the heads of state meeting with faculty and students, where the emphasis was placed on the educational ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Hajar Mahmudova, principal of Secondary School No. 1 named after Mirzo Ulugbek, expressed gratitude to the presidents for their support in strengthening educational cooperation between the two nations.