Slawomir Wroblewski is an experienced specialist who moved to Uzbekistan several years ago. We decided to find out why he moved to this country and how he sees it today.
About me
I came from Poland and studied political science and journalism at the University of Warsaw. I was actively involved in the development of the business tourism industry related to the organization of meetings, as an adviser to the government and the founder of his own company. I worked for seven years in the USA, and then was appointed an expert in the European Union.
I was also the president of the Polish Association of Conferences and Congresses. He founded several successful projects: the first event management bureau in Poland, the Congress Ambassadors program, the Academy of Organizers of Conferences and Exhibitions of Business Tourism.
About movement
In 2016, I arrived to Kazakhstan. My former boss became the rector of Narkhoz University in Almaty in that time then I joined him to continue my academic career.
I didn't know much about this country: in Soviet times, my distant relative and her family were sent to the Kazakh steppes. The locals helped them during the harsh winter periods.
Over time, I learned more about Central Asia. At that time, Uzbekistan was an inaccessible country. After the change of government, one of my friends went on a trip there and returned with positive impressions. This aroused my interest in the country that my parents, who visited Samarkand and Bukhara in my youth, told me about.
About the activity
In 2019, I received a job offer from a British recruitment agency, looking for an expert on labor organization and management of a new university in Tashkent. Six months later, the project had to be closed due to the pandemic. Then I was invited to become the dean of the Silk Road International University of Tourism in Samarkand.
Later, I collaborated with other universities: Webster University, Tashkent State Transport University and Management Development Institute of Singapore.
Currently I hold the position of Deputy Rector for Operational Management at International Agriculture University in Tashkent. We provide education in English together with the Royal Agricultural University from the UK. Our target is to train modern specialists for agriculture, to attract foreign standards and solutions.
About Uzbekistan
The impressions of the country were pleasant from the very beginning. Everyone here is open and friendly to foreigners. People start a conversation themselves, ask where I came from, tell me about themselves. It is easy to get advice or help from neighbors, passers-by on the street or in the store.
I collect various observations about the country, society, traditions and ways of thinking. I take notes and photos, and record interesting local expressions. I noticed that some of the most popular phrases are: "How much does it cost?" and "Will there be a discount?". This is a topic that needs to be explored in depth. Maybe I'll write a book about it.
Living in Uzbekistan led me to several observations that made me think as a scientist. Every country has its pros and cons which is fine. I see great potential in Uzbekistan. When I arrived in the country, I felt younger, because the environment reminded me of my native country as it was 25 years ago. This helps me to guess how further development will go. After all, some patterns of social development are similar.
Uzbekistan is a young society, so we can expect great demand for housing, kindergartens, schools and urbanization. In order for all this to pass without problems, it is necessary to prepare development programs. For example, to create «Smart cities» that will be clean and environmentally friendly. Buying a car in Tashkent is a «road to nowhere». There are already many cars there, however the city was created for people.
Uzbekistan can follow the example of countries where it has already been understood in order to learn from their mistakes, rather than make its own.
About local cuisine and traditions
There are not many national dishes in Uzbekistan: pilaf, samsa, manty. There is a lot of meat everywhere. I'm not a vegetarian, but sometimes I want something lighter.
There are many traditions in Uzbekistan that people practice and pass on to new generations
At the same time, pilaf is not just a food to satisfy hunger, it is an important social institution that is accompanied by celebration, conversations and new relationships. With its help, it is possible to see the hierarchy in society: who is sitting in what place, who starts a conversation, and other. These clearly traces the history of the nation.
There are many traditions in Uzbekistan that people practice and pass on to new generations. For me, as a foreigner, it is interesting to watch them. On the other hand, a strong traditional component can make a society conservative.
Plans
My mission is to share my experience. I have worked in the US and Europe, visited more than 50 countries and had my own business. I have something to share with the younger generation.
As Deputy Rector at International Agriculture University, I am responsible for internationalization — the introduction of foreign practices and cooperation with other countries. To do this, we are holding a unique event, the purpose of which is to spread scientific knowledge. The Life Sciences Festival will be held in April 2024 for the second time. I invite everyone to visit it
