Tashkent, Uzbekistan – 14 April 2026 — Air Products, a world leading industrial gases company, today announced the official opening of the Air Products’ Industrial Safety Academy, a partnership with the American University of Technology (AUT) in Tashkent and the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan.

The Safety Academy is an innovative initiative between Air Products and AUT, with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent. It marks the first institution of its kind in Uzbekistan dedicated exclusively to occupational safety education and training, delivered in line with international standards and grounded in Air Products’ expertise and more than 85 years of global industrial safety leadership.

The Academy aims to provide engineering students, industry professionals, and government officials with the knowledge and skills needed to uphold the highest safety standards, reinforcing a culture of safety as a foundation for Uzbekistan’s sustainable industrial development.

As one of the major foreign investors in Uzbekistan, Air Products considers leadership in industrial safety a strategic priority. The company believes that building a mature, responsible, and well-regulated industrial landscape is essential for sustainable economic growth and for attracting further international investment into the country.
“World‑class safety is fundamental to sustainable industrial development,” said Vice President of Air Products in Central Europe and Central Asia Vaclav Harant. “By launching the Safety Academy together with AUT and the U.S. Embassy, we are sharing our global expertise to help strengthen safety culture, improve operational discipline, and share global best practice.”

The Academy is hosted by the AUT in Tashkent, a new international American-style university in Uzbekistan powered by Arizona State University. AUT brings international academic standards, applied learning, and global partnerships to support workforce development and knowledge transfer in Uzbekistan.

“Hosting the Air Products Safety Academy reflects AUT’s mission to bring global knowledge into practical application for the benefit of society,” said Prof. Dr. Said Irandoust, Founding Rector of the American University of Technology in Tashkent. “Powered by Arizona State University, AUT is committed to delivering internationally aligned, practice-oriented education that strengthens safety culture, supports workforce development, and contributes to sustainable national development.”

The U.S. Embassy’s participation underscores the shared commitment. “Excellence in safety standards, education, and skills development are essential foundations for commercial growth,” said U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick. “The Air Products Safety Academy is a strong example of how American companies are leading the way to promote high standards across the industrial and educational ecosystem.”

At its first stage, the Air Products Safety Academy will operate free of charge, offering a limited number of training slots. The programs are designed to provide practical safety knowledge that can be immediately applied in industrial operations and educational settings.

Key audiences expected to benefit from training at the Academy include:

• Industrial and manufacturing companies operating in Uzbekistan

• Engineering, construction, energy, and logistics organizations in Uzbekistan

• Government bodies and regulatory authorities of Uzbekistan

• Uzbekistan universities’ teachers and lecturers covering safety, engineering, and related technical disciplines

• Uzbekistan universities’ students and young professionals

• Air Products’ employees and partner companies across the Republic

Institutions interested in participating are invited to apply for free training slots by visiting https://aut-edu.uz/safety-academy or via lifelonglearning@aut-edu.uz.

Through this initiative, Air Products reinforces its role as a responsible long-term partner to Uzbekistan - committed to safety leadership, knowledge transfer, societal wellbeing, and improving quality of life through education.

About Air Products 

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 85 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global supplier of hydrogen, Air Products also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest clean hydrogen projects, supporting the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy in the industrial and heavy-duty transportation sectors. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally. Air Products had fiscal 2025 sales of $12 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.

About AUT

The American University of Technology (AUT) in Tashkent is a new international American-style university in Uzbekistan, established in 2024 by Presidential Decree. Powered by Arizona State University and part of the Cintana Alliance, AUT delivers internationally aligned, practice-oriented education designed to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and society.

AUT places strong emphasis on knowledge transfer, innovation, and workforce relevance, while helping bridge the gap between higher education and the real economy. Through partnerships with leading international institutions and industry actors, AUT aims to equip students, educators, and professionals with the skills and global perspectives needed to contribute to Uzbekistan’s long-term development.