The Green Technology & Sustainable Education Conference at Ajou University Tashkent (AUT), chaired by Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli, is a major regional platform to accelerate green innovation, green university transformation, and sustainable education across Uzbekistan. The conference follows the EPIC-N Model by connecting university expertise with local environmental authorities, industry partners, and communities to address real, measurable sustainability needs.
Uzbekistan is strengthening its national commitment to environmental protection, green infrastructure, sustainable land use, and climate-resilient education.
AUT aims to serve as a regional driver for sustainable technology and green education. Through Prof Zalina’s leadership, the conference brought together academia, government, community groups, and industries to co-design solutions aligned with EPIC-N principles of:
- community impact
- long-term partnerships
- scalable solutions
- real-world implementation
The conference was designed to:
- Accelerate Green University transformation
- Strengthen capacity in green technologies, IoT, and smart systems
- Support environmental education and sustainability literacy
- Enhance university–community partnerships
- Link AUT to global and ASEAN networks working on sustainability
The conference was honoured by major international and national keynote leaders:
⭐ His Excellency Ilham Tuah
Ambassador of Malaysia to Uzbekistan
Delivered an inspiring keynote on Malaysia–Uzbekistan cooperation in sustainable development, education diplomacy, and future green partnerships.
⭐ WWF-Malaysia
Representatives shared insights on:
- climate resilience
- biodiversity conservation
- community-driven environmental solutions
- green innovation partnership models
Their presence strengthened international environmental collaboration with Uzbekistan.
⭐ MARDI (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute)
Provided expert perspectives on:
- smart agriculture
- land sustainability
- innovative farming technologies
- research opportunities for Uzbekistan–Malaysia collaboration
These keynote contributions elevated the scientific, diplomatic, and technical depth of the conference.
Key Components of the Conference
5.1 Academic & Technical Sessions
- Smart environmental monitoring technology
- IoT and AI for sustainability
- Green campus and green metrics
- Smart agriculture & land management
- Circular economy and eco-innovation
- Environmental education models
5.2 Local Environmental Authorities & Community Partners
- Local environmental protection departments
- Municipal green development offices
- NGOs and eco-community organisations
- Youth and student sustainability groups
5.3 Industry & Innovation Partners
- Green technology companies showcased:
- renewable solutions
- low-cost environmental sensors
- smart farming tools
- waste-to-resource technologies
Role of Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli
As Director of ICGTSS AUT and Conference Chairperson
- Developed the conference theme, structure, and academic direction
- Coordinated international speakers and keynote leaders
- Strengthened partnerships with environmental authorities and industry
- Integrated EPIC-N frameworks into the conference design
- Positioned AUT as a Central Asian hub for green technology & smart systems
- Ensured high-quality scientific, educational, and community outcomes
EPIC-N Alignment
- Strengthened AUT’s status as a regional leader in green technology
- New pathways for international collaboration with Malaysia (government, WWF, MARDI)
- Enhanced academic capacity in sustainability and smart systems
- Empowered student and faculty contributions to local environmental challenges
- Increased opportunities for EPIC-N aligned future projects across Uzbekistan
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Future Directions
- Annual continuation of the AUT Green Conference
- Establishment of AUT as a Central Asia EPIC-N Demonstration Campus
- Joint training programs with WWF-Malaysia and MARDI
- University–local authority collaboration on green city initiatives
- Applied research and community projects on land, water, and biodiversity
This conference reflects the outstanding leadership of
Professor Dr Che Zalina Zulkifli,
whose international work continues to advance green technology, sustainable education, and community-driven innovation across Malaysia, Uzbekistan, ASEAN, and the global EPIC-N network.