The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella visiting Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent

The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, visited the campus of the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent (TTPU), an Uzbek university established in 2009 through collaboration between the Politecnico di Torino, UZAVTOSANOAT (Uzbekistan's leading automotive group), General Motors (GM), and the Uzbek Ministry of Higher Education. This project was established with the aim of training qualified engineers in Uzbekistan to the same standards as the Politecnico di Torino in Italy, creating a globally recognized institution for education and research. The goal is to support the industrial development of Uzbekistan by building entrepreneurial capacity and implementing innovative structures and processes.

The institutional delegation from the Office of the President of the Republic was welcomed by the Rector of the Politecnico di Torino, Guido Saracco, the Vice-Rector for Education Anita Tabacco, and the Operating Project Managers Pierluigi Leone, Guido Marchetto, and Fulvio Rinaudo. The Uzbek delegation, on the other hand, included the Rector of the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent (TTPU), Jamshid Inoyatkhodjaev, the Prime Minister of the Uzbek government, Mr. Abdulla Oripov, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uzavtosanoat JSC, Mr. Ulugbek Rozukulov, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uzbekistan Airways JSC, Mr. Khudaykulov Shukhrat.

"We are very honored by President Mattarella's visit – commented Rector Guido Saracco – Today's meeting provided us an opportunity to illustrate how our university, from 2009 to the present, has managed to establish a leading role in spreading Italian scientific culture, engineering education, and technology in Uzbekistan. Our goal is to extend this success story to other parts of the world, as is already happening, for example, in Kyoto, Japan, with a hub of our university, and in China with joint campuses and research centers. We strongly believe that the Italian university should play an increasingly central role in the internationalization of knowledge and know-how, fostering convergence between skills and development in many non-European countries".

"The exchange of knowledge and ideas has always been at the heart of the partnership between Italy and Uzbekistan – stated Sergio Mattarella in his official speech – This experience, born from the now decade-long collaboration with a prestigious Italian university – Politecnico di Torino- is a tangible testimony to the journey that the two countries are undertaking together, with an eye towards the future. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to witness, in these laboratories, the application of studies conducted here and the highly qualified training of young researchers in various fields. However, specialized knowledge alone is not sufficient to address the complex challenges of our times. The sharing of knowledge and techniques that occurs here every day, instead, constitutes the most secure platform for promoting harmonious and sustainable development in our societies. Only through dialogue and cooperation can we overcome the specters of imperialism that are resurfacing today and successfully confront the problems jeopardizing humanity and its future: climate change, with the spread of desertification, and energy transition, to ensure growth opportunities for the younger generations on all continents".