History of the Department of Medicinal Plants and Fruit & Vegetable Production.
The Department of Fruit and Vegetable Production, part of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at Urgench State University (named after Abu Rayhan Beruni), was established in 2020 based on the former Department of Preservation and Processing of Agricultural Products (within the Faculty of Bioengineering and Food Safety). In August 2022, the Department of Bioengineering and Food Safety was reorganized into the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Production. At the time of its inception, the department’s staff consisted of eight instructors: three associate professors, one senior lecturer, and four lecturers.
During the 2022 academic year, the department offered three study programs: "5411700 – Organization and Operation of Greenhouse Facilities," "5411000 – Fruit Growing and Viticulture," and "5411600 – Vegetable, Rice, and Potato Production." A total of 53 students were enrolled in these programs that year (comprising 12 men and 41 women).
In November 2022, S. Sadullaev (Head of the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Production, Candidate of Technical Sciences) and Zh. Rozimov (Dean of the Faculty of Bioengineering and Food Safety, Associate Professor) visited Astrakhan State University (named after V.N. Tatishchev) in the Russian Federation. The visit aimed to initiate joint educational and scientific projects, foster development in the education sector, and advance work on the aforementioned fields of study.
As of September 2023, the Faculty of Bioengineering and Food Safety was expanded into the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, following a restructuring of Urgench State University. This year, 190 students (46 men, 144 women) pursued studies across four different specializations—including the new program "60820100 – Forestry and Residential Area Greening"—alongside a number of part-time (correspondence) students.
Significant work was accomplished within the Fruit and Vegetable Department during the 2024–2025 period. The department’s faculty comprises ten members: one Doctor of Science, four associate professors, one senior lecturer, and four lecturers. Additionally, the Head of the Fruit and Vegetable Department, Sanzharbek Madiyarovich Sadullaev, obtained patents for three melon varieties this year. A new specialization, "70811003 – Vegetables and Potatoes," was also launched, with six first-year students enrolled.
Substantial work was carried out at the Fruit and Vegetable Department during the 2025–2026 academic year. Notably, in September 2025, Professor Turan Karadeniz—a renowned scientist from the Faculty of Agriculture at Pamukkale University (Turkey)—visited the department to conduct masterclasses and practical sessions for students, introduce new agricultural technologies based on European practices, and exchange ideas regarding advanced scientific approaches in the fruit and vegetable industry. Faculty output included one textbook, two methodological manuals, two monographs, and six sets of recommendations; articles were published in 51 Scopus-indexed sources and 74 journals listed by the Higher Attestation Commission (OAC), and faculty members delivered lectures at several conferences.
The department is fully equipped with the necessary laboratory apparatus and tools for students and faculty; furthermore, agreements have been established with regional branches of research institutes, farms, and greenhouse facilities utilizing both conventional and hydroponic cultivation methods. These include the Khorezm Research Institute of Vegetables and Potatoes; the Khorezm Research Institute of Grain and Legumes; the Academician Mahmud Mirzaev Khorezm Research Institute of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking (within the agro-industrial complex); the Khorezm Branch of the Research Institute of Plant Quarantine and Protection; Damkor Food LLC; Tillo Domor LLC; and a number of other similar large-scale enterprises.
In the 2026–2027 academic year, the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Growing was merged with the Department of Biotechnology under a new organizational structure; effective February 9, 2026, the Department of Medicinal Plants and Fruit and Vegetable Growing was established. Izzatbek Radjabovich Kuryazov—a PhD in Agricultural Sciences and Associate Professor—was appointed Head of the Department. Currently, the department’s staff comprises one Doctor of Science, six associate professors, five senior lecturers, four lecturers, and eight trainee lecturers.