AmCham and Webster University Host Business Mixer to Welcome US Leadership Delegation
April 14, 2025
Global Leadership Meets Local Impact: Strengthening International Educational Ties
Webster University in Tashkent, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan (AmCham), hosted a high-level business mixer to welcome senior leadership from Webster University’s main campus in the United States.
Held at the Hyatt Regency Tashkent, the event gathered academic leaders, corporate partners and diplomatic representatives for an evening focused on the global and local economic impact of international education.
The presentation panel included Webster University President Chancellor Tim Keane, Executive Vice President Ryan Guffey and Interim Director of Webster University in Tashkent Anthony Jarvis.
In their opening remarks, Webster leaders emphasized the university’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence and its growing role in global development.
“Webster is not only one of the most largest education providers globally, but also a connector of communities across continents,” Keane said.
He reinforced the university's strategic vision of expanding educational accessibility to a top-tier, U.S.-accredited education to dynamic regions like Central Asia, noting the reciprocal benefit of education and national capacity building.
Guffey underscored the broader implications of international education in the U.S. context.
“International students generate significant economic value for the U.S. economy — contributing not only to innovation and cultural exchange, but to real fiscal growth.” His remarks reflected Webster’s vision for mutual economic benefit through academic mobility. He also highlighted that the international students at Webster St. Louis contribute over an estimated $100 million per year to the state economy, making it the fourth highest educational contributor in Missouri.
Bringing the conversation closer to home, Jarvis outlined the measurable economic contributions Webster has made within Uzbekistan, particularly through job creation, knowledge transfer and collaboration with key national institutions.
“We are not just educating; we are actively shaping Uzbekistan’s knowledge economy,” Jarvis emphasized.
A major highlight of the evening was the announcement of plans to establish a U.S.-accredited nursing school in Uzbekistan, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Health. This initiative reflects the University's strategic goal to support critical sectors in the region and address the demand for internationally benchmarked health care education.
Following the presentations, the event transitioned into networking sessions, enabling dialogue between Webster’s global leadership, business community members and academic stakeholders. These interactions signaled stronger partnerships and opened doors to future academic/industry collaborations in Uzbekistan and beyond.
About Webster University in Tashkent
Established in 2019 through the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Webster University in Tashkent is an official campus of Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. As the premier American university in Central Asia, Webster Tashkent is committed to ensuring high-quality learning that transforms students for global citizenship and individual excellence.