University of Applied Sciences Potsdam takes part in the first Uzbekistan-Germany Universities Forum in Berlin

The University of Applied Sciences Potsdam has been cooperating with public Uzbek universities in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara since 1995. This tradition has resulted in a large number of joint projects in the fields of heritage conservation, restoration, sustainable urban development and interdisciplinary research into historical buildings and world heritage sites. 
Currently, the project "Interdisziplinär am Denkmal 2.0" (2024-2026), funded by the German Academic Exchange Service, brings together these long-standing activities. It combines approaches from heritage conservation, architecture, Civil Engineering, urban planning and the social sciences and focuses on intensive academic exchanges, summer schools and international specialist conferences.

Erasmus agreement and academic exchange
The cooperation between the FHP and Bukhara State University was further strengthened as part of the forum. Vice President Prof Abror Juraev signed a new Erasmus agreement on behalf of Bukhara State University and Anke Weiß, Head of the International Office, signed a new Erasmus agreement on behalf of FHP, which is intended to intensify the mutual exchange of students and lecturers and structurally deepen the existing academic relationships. In addition, a further Erasmus+ cooperation agreement was concluded with the Tashkent University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, with which the FHP has already been working successfully for several years in other programme lines. Both agreements thus build on established partnerships and expand their possibilities in the area of mobility and academic exchange.
On the Education and Academic Cooperation panel, Volker Bley, Ass. jur. (FHP), presented key stages and perspectives of Uzbek-German cooperation in higher education in this context.

Honorary professorships for two FHP academics
For their many years of academic and higher education policy achievements, Dr Bakhrom Tulaganov, Rector of Tashkent Architecture and Construction University, awarded Prof. Dr.Jörg Röder, Professor of Building Conservation, Building in Existing Contexts and Timber Construction, and Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Steffen Laue, Professor of Natural Sciences in the Conservation and Restoration degree programme, the honour of an honorary professorship. 
Both researchers have been significantly involved in international cooperation in the field of heritage conservation and building in existing structures for many years. 
Prof. Dr Steffen Laue emphasised: "We see the awarding of the honorary professorships as an expression of the deep mutual trust that has grown in our projects over many years. It recognises not only our academic work, but above all our joint commitment to the protection and further development of the architectural heritage in Uzbekistan."

Exchange on future projects and new institutional perspectives
During the forum, representatives of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam held discussions with partner universities from Tashkent and Bukhara on current and future joint projects. Topics discussed included

• the follow-up to the international Summer School 2025 in Uzbekistan,
• the planned international conference in Potsdam in 2026,
• joint research fields relating to earthquake safety, sustainable urban spaces and heritage-listed ensembles,
• as well as the concept of an Uzbek-German University of Applied Sciences, which was presented to the public for the first time at the forum and could offer new framework conditions for long-term, institutionally anchored German-Uzbek university cooperation.

The Uzbekistan-Germany Universities Forum emphasises the growing importance of bilateral academic relations and marks a further step towards the strategic deepening of joint research and education initiatives. Potsdam University of Applied Sciences will actively continue and further expand its cooperation with its partners in Uzbekistan in the coming years.