- Uzbekistan launches first Regional Research & Innovation Center in Early Learning through an MoU with UNICEF and Fondazione Reggio Children, marking a historic milestone for Central Asia.
- Focus on child-centered education with teacher development, research, inquiry-based learning, creativity, and socio-emotional skills from early childhood.
- Regional and global collaboration aims to impact 2.4 million children and 174,000 preschool staff, sharing best practices and innovations across Central Asia and beyond.
The Uzbekistan Ministry of Preschool and School Education, UNICEF, and Fondazione Reggio Children signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding to create the Regional Research and Innovation Center in Early Learning. It is the first one in Central Asia.
"Opening a Regional Research and Innovation Centre in Early Learning is the natural next step in our reforms to make sure that all children have access to high-quality, child-centred education from the earliest age. Our collaboration with UNICEF and Fondazione Reggio Children will help us to systematically enhance teachers' professional development, develop research, and expand evidence-based practices especially in inclusion, learning through play, and social-emotional development. We are sure that this project will act as a regional platform for the exchange of knowledge and bring concrete, measurable outcomes in Uzbekistan and other countries", Director of the Department for Coordination of the Preschool Education System Ms. Lola Berdieva stated.
The new center will focus on innovating teacher professional development, enhancing education research and high-quality child-centered learning, and building foundations in critical thinking, creativity, and socio-emotional capabilities from early childhood years.
The center will also facilitate an international exchange of expertise, research, and best practice, buttressing the nation's continuing education reforms and global pledges to inclusive early learning.
"With the strategic cooperation of UNICEF, Fondazione Reggio Emilia, and the Government of Uzbekistan, we envision the possibilities of further enhancing the quality of preschool education in Uzbekistan and exchanging at the regional level the experience of Uzbekistan in promoting quality and inclusive preschool education", stated Ms. Regina Maria Castillo, Representative of UNICEF in Uzbekistan.
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The Center, as a regional hub, will work closely with public and private preschools in Central Asia that seek to implement the Reggio Emilia quality approach, recognized internationally as a best practice in inquiry-based, child-directed early childhood education.
"Fondazione Reggio Children's Center for Education Research and Innovation is an important step towards building quality early childhood education for children, and the opportunity for Reggio Emilia to match the sensibility and skills of the Uzbek education system, so dedicated in enhancing preschool education. We are most grateful to UNICEF for having established this chance, and we stand prepared to tread hand in hand in the upcoming times. We see this as a big milestone for quality education in Uzbekistan and in the Region", affirmed Mr. Cristian Fabbi, Director General of Fondazione Reggio Children.
The Regional Center will implement new child-centered practices grounded in exploration, creativity, and social-emotional learning such as a new emphasis on research in learning through play, rolling out climate change, and socio-emotional learning. As per UNICEF Uzbekistan, by linking Uzbekistan with other innovation hubs worldwide, the project will push global research and create learning activities that will impact 174,000 preschool staff, leading to improved early learning among 2.4 million children in Uzbekistan and beyond. As previously reported, the ADB had sanctioned a $100 million loan to enhance STEM education in Uzbekistan.
