Professor Sherzod Abdullaev

Director of the IAIS

Professor Sherzod Abdullaev is the Director of the IAIS and a Professor of International Relations at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED). Previously, Dr. Abdullaev headed the Higher School of Diplomacy at UWED, the Center for International Economic and Political Studies, the Coordination-Analytical Center for Foreign Policy Research at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Abdullaev was also a vicerector of the Academy of Public Administration and advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

In addition, Dr. Abdullaev has significant diplomatic experience. He was the deputy ambassador and minister counselor at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States.

Dr. Abdullaev received his doctoral degree in Historical Sciences. His research interests include security and development issues, anthropology
and conflict studies in Central Asia.

Dr. Akram Umarov

Deputy Director of the IAIS


Dr. Akram Umarov is the Deputy Director of the IAIS and an Associate professor of International Relations at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. Dr. Umarov has a great interest in security studies, conflict management, public diplomacy, Afghanistan, Central Asian studies, CIS countries and development. Before joining IAIS, Dr. Umarov was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the Center for Governance and Markets, University of Pittsburgh in the United States, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies and Academy of Public Administration under the President of Uzbekistan. Dr. Akram Umarov has earned an MA and PhD in International Relations from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. He also received an MA degree in Governance, Development and Public Policy from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex in the United Kingdom.

Ms. Nurmatova Khusnorakhon (Uzbekistan), 32 years old, Legal Adviser at the Institute for Advanced International Studies at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. As part of this position, Ms. Nurmatova is responsible for strengthening the rule of law, compliance with legislation, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements in the activities of the Institute, and is also responsible for preparing opinions on legal issues, ensures participation in the development of internal regulatory documents, standard forms of contracts of the Institute and other legal documents. Prior to taking up her current position, Ms. Nurmatova worked and interned in various organizations, such as the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Institute for Monitoring Current Legislation under the Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Tashkent City Criminal Court, the Committee on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Law Firm "VASILA NUR", Limited Liability Company "LEGAL OWNER", Scientific and Practical Research Center "Oila" under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Ms. Nurmatova holds a Master's degree in International Law from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2013) and a Bachelor's degree in Jurisprudence from Tashkent Islamic University under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2011).

Head of Administration Office

Botirjon Ziyayev is responsible for incoming and outgoing correspondence to the Institute of Advanced International Studies (IAIS). Before joining the IAIS, Botirjon worked at the Department of International Relations of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy,  as well as at the Higher School of Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Communications and Partnerships manager at the IAIS

Prior to this she worked as a coordinator  of the CallUmida.uz (Anti Street harassment initiative) initiative under AccLab and specialist on  gender issues  at UNDP  Uzbekistan.

She holds authorship on "WomanUP '' women empowerment project at the American Center Tashkent, and has been coordinating its activities since 2019. 

Shokhinakhon is an International Fellow at the King Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Nonviolent Change in Atlanta, GA. (Сommunity Engagemnet Exchange, IREX)

She is a member of TEDxMustaqillikSquare Team and   worked as a speaker curator and trainer on public speaking at  conferences held in 2017 and 2018.  

Joined the team of Global Shapers Tashkent Hub in January 2020. Since 2021 she has been promoted and served as a Vice Curator.
From 2019 to 2021 she has been serving as Go Viral Country Ambassador, the project  supported by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Kazakhstan, and building a regional network of  young creatives.