Diplomacy Journal 이길주 기자 | The Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan have significantly advanced their aviation education partnership, transitioning from exchange-based programs to a system-level cooperation model under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), according to official sources from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport.

 

The initiative is being implemented under the aviation development strategy of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and has been formalized through cooperation between Korea Aerospace University and the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan.

 

 

During high-level talks held on April 29 in Tashkent, KAU President Hee-Young Huh and Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov reviewed progress and outlined a phased implementation roadmap centered on the MOU framework.

 

Institutionalizing Aviation Education: From Training to System Transfer

At the core of the discussions was the expansion of the “1+2+1 pilot training program”, originally launched in 2023 between KAU and Tashkent State Transport University. The program aims to train civil aviation specialists through a multi-stage education process spanning Uzbekistan and Korea.

 

Under the new MOU framework, this initiative is being upgraded from a training scheme into a comprehensive system transfer model, integrating:

• Pilot training systems
• Instructor development pipelines
• Curriculum and educational content transfer
• Training infrastructure deployment
• Certification aligned with international standards

This shift effectively transforms the cooperation into a “package-type aviation education export model”, encompassing the full lifecycle of aviation training.

 

Train-the-Trainer Strategy: Building Instructor Sovereignty

A central pillar of the agreement is the Train-the-Trainer approach, designed to address one of the aviation sector’s most critical bottlenecks—qualified instructors.

 

Both sides discussed:

• Training Uzbek cadets in Korea
• Upgrading selected graduates to certified flight instructors
• Deploying them domestically upon return

This model is expected to reduce long-term training costs while enabling Uzbekistan to establish a self-sustaining instructor ecosystem.

 

Infrastructure and Technology Transfer: Preparing for 2027 Transition

The Korean side also presented concrete proposals regarding the return of Uzbek cadets in 2027 and the infrastructure required to support them.

 

Key areas of cooperation include:

• Provision of training aircraft
• Deployment of advanced flight simulators
• Transfer of textbooks, training materials, and specialized software
• Establishment of a new flight training school in Uzbekistan

These measures are aligned with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization, ensuring compatibility with global aviation requirements.

 

Expanding Capacity: National Aviation Training Ecosystem

Uzbekistan has already been scaling up its aviation training capacity since 2023. According to official data:

• Five independent aviation education programs are currently in operation
• A total of 4,562 students are enrolled
• Training includes both theoretical instruction and practical flight experience
• Initial certification focuses on obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL) (UzDaily.uz)

Additionally, the Uzbekistan Airways Training Center operates modern simulators and supports pilot retraining and professional development under international standards.

 

 

Expanding Beyond Training: Future-Oriented Cooperation

Cooperation has also expanded beyond pilot training. On April 30, KAU signed a separate MOU with Bukhara Innovative Medical University (BIMU), broadening collaboration into emerging sectors.

 

The agreement includes:

• A 2+2 dual-degree program in aviation management
• Cooperation in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) education and research
• Joint research in aerospace medicine

This reflects a strategic effort to integrate aviation education with next-generation mobility and interdisciplinary industries.

 

2027 as a Strategic Inflection Point

The outcomes of the MOU-driven cooperation are expected to materialize from 2027, when Uzbek trainees currently studying in Korea return home.

 

At that stage:

• A domestic instructor pool will be established
• Training infrastructure will be operational
• Uzbekistan will transition toward a fully self-sustaining aviation education system

 

Both sides emphasized that the partnership will contribute to improving the quality of aviation education, aligning with international standards, and producing highly qualified aviation professionals.