「KDI GKEDC – EBRD Knowledge Sharing on Social Infrastructure PPPs with Focus on Student Housing」 Successfully Concluded

The KDI Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (GKEDC), in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), successfully organized a four-day capacity building program for Uzbekistan delegation from April 6 (Mon) to April 9 (Thu), 2026.

The program focused on knowledge exchange on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in social infrastructure, with particular attention to student housing. Participants included government officials from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (MoHESI) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MoEF) of Uzbekistan, vice-rectors from major higher-education institutions, and representatives from the EBRD.

Comprising expert lectures, policy dialogues, site visits, and a wrap-up workshop, the program provided a platform to share Korea’s experience in PPP systems and university dormitory development, while exploring actionable approaches for Uzbekistan’s student housing initiatives.


[Day 1 (April 6)]

The program commenced with a kick-off workshop introducing ▲the organizing institutions and the overall agenda. Following lectures covered ▲Korea’s PPP institutional framework and ▲key policy implications..

Dr. Takkyung Kim, Director of Policy Research Division at the Public and Private Infrastructure Investment Management Center (PIMAC) of KDI,explained the fundamental structure of Korea’s PPP system and project pipelines. Ms. Sook Jin Kim, Director of the PPP Policy Division at the Ministry of Planning and Budget, introduced the legal framework, development process, and the roles of government in PPP implementation.


[Day 2 (April 7)]

On the second day, the program focused on ▲Uzbekistan’s current student dormitory PPP initiatives, ▲Korea’s education system, and ▲university dormitory development and operations.

The Uzbekistan delegation shared its experience in implementing PPP-based student housing projects in higher education. Meanwhile, the Korea‘s Ministry of Education and the Korean Educational Development Instituteshared Korea’s higher education governance structure and the Build-Transfer-Lease (BTL) model for national university dormitories, respectively.

The delegation then visited Seoul National Universityto examine residential facility operations and gain concrete insights into dormitory management.


[Day 3 (April 8)]

On the third day, the program addressed ▲financing structures for student dormitories and residential PPPs, ▲procurement strategies, and ▲inclusive dormitory design.

Sessions explored financing mechanisms and private investment cases in student housing PPP projects, alongside legal considerations in infrastructure procurement. Participants also discussed key principles for safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive dormitory design and their application to PPP projects.
 

[Day 4 (April 9)]

The final day featured ▲a site visit to Korea University dormitories to explore various residential facility types, followed by ▲an action plan workshop.

The delegation worked in groups to develop and present action plans based on key lessons and implementation strategies. Dr. Hyeon Park, Professor at the University of Seoul, provided comprehensive feedback on policy and institutional considerations for PPP implementation, while suggesting practical applications.

Mr. Doniyor Yusupov, Head of the PPP Development Department at MoHESI,noted that the program provided the delegation with valuable insights into end-to-end dormitory PPP projects. He added that Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, would consider incorporating sports and cultural facilities into future dormitory initiatives, drawing on the cases shared during the program. Ms. Dilnavoz Kuldashova, Associate of the PPP Advisory at the EBRD,also highlighted the program as a best practice model that could be replicated in other countries.

Dr. Dong Soo Kang, Executive Director of GKEDC,who attended both the opening and closing sessions, expressed his expectation that the program would contribute to tangible outcomes in policy cooperation and capacity building between the two countries.

 Written by. Yena Ko, Research Associate, Global Knowledge Cooperation Team 2, +82 2-6312-4064,  kyn@kdi.re.kr