IUT was established on the initiative of President Karimov, in partnership with the Inha University in Seoul (South Korea). Priority subjects are management, information technology and logistics. Advanced learning management systems are used, based on ‘Smart Class’ technology. In January 2016, IUT established its Innovations and Industry Cooperation Centre, which supports research and innovation, encourages technology transfer, and acts as an incubator for start-ups. It also allows students to develop professional skills. IUT provides a laboratory where undergraduate students can engage in web and mobile development and provide various IT-services to customers. A delightful feature of IUT is its ‘open doors policy’: visitors are free to enter its premises and to participate in such activities as weekend classes for children, where young enthusiasts learn to write their own programmes. Several companies, notably Samsung, KT, and SAP have established information stands in the lobby of the main building, where they showcase their latest technologies; Microsoft, Hanjin Group, and Korean Air are currently preparing similar stands. As in other foreign universities in Uzbekistan, tuition is in English. Some staff members are from Korea, others are Uzbek. There are scholarships and other facilities to support student-staff exchange visits between Korea and Uzbekistan.

The Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent was established by presidential decree, in accordance with the requirements of the Uzbek National Program for Personnel Training. TPIU, a branch of the prestigious Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy), functions in partnership with the university district authorities of Tashkent city. The priority task for TPIU is the training of highly-qualified specialists for the Uzbekistan’s emerging automotive, machine-building and energy industries. The Institute focuses on applied scientific research and practical experience using cutting-edge technologies; it encourages individual thinking and personal development. Agreements with leading Uzbek companies (“Uzavtosanoat” and “General Motors–Powertrain”) enable students to visit production plants to learn at first-hand about production and working practices. They also familiarise themselves with on-site management, technical processes, and negotiation techniques in dealing with foreign companies and joint-ventures. TPIU Tashkent retains close ties with the parent institute in Italy, underpinned by staff and student exchanges. TPIU has also established extensive cooperation with the General Motors Company. The study of English is prioritised, so that graduates will be able to think and operate using English terminology, and thus to converse directly with foreign technical specialists and producers, without the aid of interpreters.