On the 13th of October 2023, the III Forum of University Rectors from Kyrgyzstan and Russia was held at Osh State University. This event was organized by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Association of Kyrgyz Republic Universities, Osh State University, the Russian Rectors' Union, the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and Lomonosov Moscow State University. The primary aim of the forum was to discuss the key areas of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Russia in education and science, addressing issues like joint workforce development and the integration of educational systems within the Eurasian Economic Union.

During the forum, both sides reaffirmed the forum's importance as a vital platform for cooperation in higher education between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation.

The event was attended by representatives from relevant ministries and over 100 university rectors from Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Omurbek Mederbekov, the expert of the Department of Expertise of Decisions of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, presented a message from the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Zhaparov. Welcoming speeches were also delivered by the Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, Dogdurkul Kenderbaeva, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov, and the Head of the Department of the President of the Russian Federation for Interregional and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Igor Maslov.

The program of the Forum of University Rectors of Kyrgyzstan and Russia included two segments: three panel sessions and a plenary meeting. The sessions covered topics such as preparing modern professionals for both countries' economies, promoting innovation in universities, enhancing their competitiveness, exploring new teaching methods, and fostering strategic partnerships between universities in Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

The forum's primary focus was to encourage collaborative efforts between universities. This included facilitating academic mobility programs for both students and faculty, creating and executing joint higher education programs, offering additional professional education opportunities through qualification enhancement and professional retraining programs, organizing youth forums, summer and winter schools, and a wide range of activities that promote educational and cultural integration.

To conclude the forum, the participants issued a resolution to advance the practical implementation of the agreements reached during the event.

The resolution emphasized both countries' interest in expanding inter-university projects in academic mobility, joint higher education programs, professional development, youth forums, and other educational and cultural events.

Participants recognized the timeliness and significance of the meeting in Osh and commended the high level of organization for the forum. Russian attendees were also given a tour of Osh city and the Osh State University campus.

It's important to note that Osh State University is a leader in collaborating with Russian universities. Presently, Osh State University has bilateral agreements with 77 Russian universities, including leading institutions in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and various regions across Russia. Osh State University also operates the Lomonosov Center of Moscow State University and the Department of Russian and European Integration in partnership with South Ural State University. Annually, approximately 100 students and faculty take part in academic mobility programs, conferences, winter and summer schools organized by Russian universities. Osh State University, in collaboration with Russian universities, implements 21 joint educational programs.