Hydro4U project partner TIIAME NRU and Rhodes College launch Summer School on “Water on Silk Roads Uzbekistan”

The Summer School organized within the framework of the memorandum concluded between the US Rhodes College and TIIAME National Research University on the topic “Water on Silk Roads Uzbekistan” has begun its work at the “Center for Science and Education Innovations” of the TIIAME NRU. This immersive program invites undergraduate students to explore the unique environment, rich history, and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan and Central Asia, a region often overlooked in Western perspectives. Framed around the ancient and modern Silk Roads, the course examines human-environment interactions with a focus on agriculture, irrigation, water management, infrastructure development, and global trade.

Professor Katherine Shields and a group of students from the renowned American institution Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee (USA) visited the TIIAME NRU to participate in the Summer School. In order to organize the summer school at a high level, university professors and instructors prepared meaningful lectures with strong scientific significance. In particular, the Hydro4U TIIAME NRU Team Leader, Prof. B. Karimov has introduced participants with Hydro4U project objectives, structure, results and main achievements. Based on data obtained as a result of conducted field trips within the framework of Hydro4U multiyear activities he has started giving cycle of lectures titled: “Diversity of Highland Aquatic Ecosystems in Central Asia: Transformation of Ecological Regimes under Anthropogenic Impact: Lecture 1 – Uzbekistan; Lecture 2 – Kyrgyzstan; Lecture 3 – Tajikistan”.

The American guests are visiting the university’s laboratories, IT Park, innovation cluster, and research centers, where they are becoming closely acquainted with the university’s higher education activities, scientific research, and practical projects. The “Water on Silk Roads Uzbekistan” Summer School will continue its activities at the university’s “Center for Science and Education Innovations” until May 26.

Author and picture credits: Bakhtiyor Karimov, TIIAME NRU