On September 24, 2025, WIUT’s Graduate School hosted a Graduate Café session dedicated to the topic “Uzbekistan - Strategy 2030: priority goals and achieved results”

The session is presented by Dr. Nilufar Rashitova (Associate Dean of Graduate School), provided an engaging platform for graduate students, researchers, and participants to discuss the key priorities of the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy and the progress achieved so far.

The event fostered an open dialogue where attendees exchanged views, asked questions, and reflected on the country’s long-term development agenda. The Graduate Café once again served as a space for intellectual exchange and meaningful discussion on issues of national importance in line with UN SDGs.

On May 14, 2025, the Graduate Café, in collaboration with the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), hosted a practical and engaging workshop titled "Clarivate’s Activities in Uzbekistan." The session was led by Diana Abdumuminova, Clarivate’s Regional Representative in Uzbekistan.

Held in the IB 208 PC Lab, the workshop introduced participants to Clarivate’s suite of academic and research tools, with a particular focus on:

• Web of Science for literature discovery and citation tracking
• Pivot-RP for identifying research funding opportunities
• ProQuest for accessing scholarly content and research support

The interactive session attracted students, faculty, and PhD researchers eager to improve their research strategies and engage with global academic databases. Participants appreciated the practical guidance and insights into how these platforms can support high-impact academic work in Uzbekistan.

On May 21, 2025, the Graduate school organized a supportive Graduate café Discussion series titled “Struggling with Your PhD Journey? You're Not Alone.” The session was led by Dr. Hamid Waqas and Dr. Athar Hameed Butt, and brought together PhD students to openly discuss common challenges encountered during doctoral studies.

The facilitators addressed key issues such as maintaining motivation, overcoming self-doubt, and managing time effectively. Drawing on their own experiences and practical insights, they offered realistic strategies and simple tools to help participants navigate the PhD journey with greater confidence and clarity.

The session encouraged an honest exchange of experiences and fostered a sense of community among attendees. It served as a reminder that while the PhD path can be demanding, students are not alone—and support is always available.

This event marks another meaningful step by SOBE to support the academic and emotional well-being of its research community.

On May 7, the Graduate Café Series hosted two engaging sessions aimed at strengthening academic research and writing skills among graduate students.

Session 1: Developing a Critical Literature Review

Led by Erkin Mukhammedov, a PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics at the University of Warwick, this session offered practical guidance on constructing effective and analytical literature reviews. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience in higher education and international development, Mukhammedov shared valuable strategies for approaching academic sources critically and cohesively.

Session 2: Library Skills for Success – Web of Science

Presented by Islomjon Erkinxojiyev from the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), the second session introduced participants to the Web of Science research database. Attendees learned how to conduct efficient searches, evaluate academic sources, and track research trends relevant to their fields.

Both sessions were well-received and provided actionable tools for thesis and dissertation development. The Graduate Café Series continues to support the academic journey of graduate students through practical, hands-on learning opportunities.