It is known that on 20 October 2023, a thematic office was opened in our city in cooperation with UNWTO within the framework of the 25th session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organisation. This thematic office, established to implement projects, initiatives and research of the international brand “Silk Road”, has now become a favourite place where researchers and PhD students of our university constantly gather, discuss their scientific works, and inform the general public about the results of scientific research. It is aimed at creating sufficient conditions for researchers and PhD students, organising various seminars on research topics, as well as organising master classes on research topics by attracting influential domestic and foreign scientists in the field of tourism and cultural heritage. Special mention should be made of the initiatives of the staff of the research department of the university.

On 10 September of this year the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Rector of the university Aziz Abdukhakimov and the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation, Honorary Professor of “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage Zurab Pololikashvili, who visited the UNWTO thematic office, got acquainted with the conditions created for researchers, highly appreciated the scientific environment created here, and in the future the Academic Council for the awarding of the degree DSc.33/01.02.2022.I.145.01 has been entrusted to carry out all subsequent studies. In this regard, on 13 September of the current year in the thematic office of the UNWTO, at the Scientific Seminar of the Academic Council, awarding degrees in economic sciences at “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage was held a discussion of the dissertation written for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in economic sciences, Karshiev Adham Anvarovich, in the specialty - 08.00.17 – “Tourism and hotel activity” on the theme “Improvement of the organizational and economic mechanism of strategic development of tourism in the region”. In addition, there was a discussion of the dissertation of another researcher of the university Khashimova Madina Muradkhanovna, speciality - 08.00.17 – “Tourism and hotel activity” on the theme “Ways of effective use of ecotourism potential of regions”, written for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in economic sciences. During the active discussion at the seminar, the results of scientific research conducted by the researchers were highly appreciated by the members of the commission, and their scientific works were recommended for the defence of dissertations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economic Sciences.

Also today was held the defence of the dissertation of the researcher of the university Hamdamov Amriddin Hamdam ugli for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in economic sciences on the theme “Improvement of organisational and economic mechanism of effective use of resources of digital integration in the sphere of tourism” on the speciality - 08.00.17 – “Tourism and hotel activity”.

According to the results of the defence of the dissertation, which caused a stormy discussion, Hamdamov Amriddin Hamdam ugli on the theme “Improvement of the organisational and economic mechanism of effective use of digital integration resources in the sphere of tourism” written for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in economic sciences on the speciality - 08.00.17 – “Tourism and hotel activity”, taking into account that his dissertation is devoted to the actual topic, its scientific research is sufficiently substantiated and represents a completed research work, it is recognised that the requirements of the Higher Attestation Commission under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the procedure for awarding the degree of Doctor of Sciences” (PhD) have been fully met, and the researcher was found worthy of the degree (PhD) in economic sciences.

In addition, at this meeting of the Academic Council of the University, Chairman of the Council A. Eshtaev reported that the Higher Attestation Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan on higher education, science and innovation approved the decision of the Academic Council of the university №. 7 from 20 July 2024 to the researcher of the university Tukhtamishov Aziz Kahramonovich Tukhtamishov that awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in economics on speciality 08.00.17 – “Tourism and hotel activity” and solemnly awarded the Diploma of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in economics. Members of the Council also warmly congratulated Tukhtamishov Aziz Kahramanovich with success and wished him great success in further scientific activity.

For information: the degree DSc. 33/01.02.2022.I.145.01, awarding degrees at “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, was established by our esteemed President's Decree No. PD-5270 of 30 October 2021 “On Measures to Further Improve the Continuous System of Qualified Personnel Training in the Field of Tourism, Cultural Heritage and Museology”, it provides an opportunity for scholars who are now actively engaged in research in the field of tourism and cultural heritage to report on their scientific innovations and achievements in the field of tourism and cultural heritage.

With the aim of ensuring the effective implementation of dual education based on the training program developed within the framework of the project for the specialty “41010302 – Hotel Management and Administration”, a training session on the topic "Implementation of Dual Education in the Hotel Management Sector" was held on September 9–10, 2024, at the “International” hotel as part of the VET4UZ project.

The training was conducted by experts from the Institute for the Development of Professional Education in collaboration with representatives of the private sector in the hospitality industry for participants from regional administrations, partner institutes, universities, hotels, as well as pilot colleges and technical schools.
Opening speeches were delivered by Utkirjon Alijonov, Head of the Department for the Development of Professional Education of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, and Simone Strasburger, Head of the Swiss VET4UZ project.

During the training, experts discussed the importance of dual education and its benefits for employers, the organization of dual education in the vocational education system, potential problems and their solutions in the implementation of dual education, as well as the stages of developing a dual education program for the specialty "Hotel Management and Administration" within the project. Additionally, participants completed practical tasks in group work format, which facilitated better assimilation of the material, development of collaboration skills, and exchange of experience for the effective application of theoretical knowledge in practice.

On 11 September 2024, the 1st meeting of the Women's Advisory Council at “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage was held.

D. Nasimov, First Vice-Rector of the university, I. Negmatov, Chief Specialist of the department for combating corruption, S. Matlabov, Chairman of the Union, and A. Khalbaev, Head of the Human Resources Department participated in the meeting.

At the meeting of the advisory council it was discussed about approval of the work plan for 2024/2025 academic year, rules of etiquette, a number of works to be carried out in the new academic year, the concept of corruption, holding the week of “Khan Atlas”, organisation of intellectual games “Zakovat” among students and improvement of the system of work with female students studying in the future.

The participants of the meeting received answers to their questions.

The teacher of our university, Kobilova Maftuna, visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Xi'an, China as a special guest and shared her experiences in MICE tourism. Chamber representatives discussed issues of close cooperation with our university. In addition, the teacher of our university visited "Zhong Si Wei Group" company and "Spring Tour" tour companies in Xi'an city and introduced the Chinese experts to the possibilities of Uzbek tourism.