Representatives of IT Park Uzbekistan, led by Elyor Maksudov, Startup and Investments Development Director, held a meeting with a delegation from Ghent University headed by Ignace Lemahieu, Director of Research. During the negotiations, the parties discussed the establishment of joint AI laboratories at universities in Uzbekistan, the participation of Ghent University in the development of IT Park’s new R&D centre, as well as prospects for cooperation in technology transfer, academic exchange, and support for the startup ecosystem.
Ghent University is one of the oldest and largest universities in Belgium and is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The university has more than 50,000 students, 11 faculties and over 200 educational programmes. It actively develops research infrastructure, including its own technology parks, technology transfer centres and a startup ecosystem. The university also has international campuses, including a major hub in South Korea, where programmes in biotechnology, environmental sciences and artificial intelligence are implemented.
During the meeting, IT Park representatives presented Uzbekistan’s digital potential, its young and highly skilled technological workforce, as well as key educational initiatives, including the “One Million Uzbek Coders” program and the expansion of training via Coursera. The delegation outlined current developments at IT Park — the branch network, international offices, the activities of IT Park University, incubation programmes and partnership projects with global companies. Tax incentives for member companies, the Zero Risk programme, support for startups and the growth of IT services exports were also highlighted.
For its part, Ghent University introduced its research directions. Ignace Lemahieu spoke about the university’s technology parks, laboratories and technology transfer centres, as well as the development of its startup ecosystem. He placed particular emphasis on the university’s international campus in South Korea, where research is conducted in biotechnology, food-tech, ecology and artificial intelligence, and where a new AI facility for 500 specialists will soon begin operations.
During the negotiations, the parties discussed potential areas of cooperation. IT Park proposed establishing AI laboratories at local universities starting in 2026, implementing joint research projects and exploring Ghent University’s participation in the new R&D centre under the Enterprise Uzbekistan initiative. Additional discussions covered the organisation of hackathons, academic exchanges, student participation in international accelerators and collaboration through IT Park’s foreign offices.
Following the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to develop long-term cooperation, agreed to explore further partnership opportunities and committed to drafting joint initiatives.
Cooperation with Ghent University will create new opportunities for advancing research competencies, strengthening expertise in AI and deep tech, and supporting Uzbekistan’s technological community.
