Khafiza Mukhtorova: Uzbekistan – A Youth-Friendly Country
Khafiza Mukhtorova, International journalist from Uzbekistan
It is a simple truth — the future of the country is in the hands of its youth. To ensure a bright and prosperous future, the education and upbringing of young people must be at the center of state policy. Today, educating youth in line with modern demands is no easy task. Fifty years ago, knowledge was updated every 30–32 years; twenty years ago, this cycle shortened to 15–16 years. Today, changes occur even faster. In such conditions, raising young people according to new standards, forming a generation capable of increasing their country’s prestige on the international stage, possessing deep knowledge, advanced thinking, and entrepreneurial skills, and driving economic development requires significant investment and determination from the state.
Thanks to state support, many young people, especially those with limited financial resources and those living in remote areas, can find their place in life, unlock their potential, and ultimately fight with determination and enthusiasm for the bright future of their homeland.
The leadership of our country is carrying out large-scale reforms in higher education. One of the measures aimed at providing youth with access to education at the international level is the creation of broad opportunities for studying at prestigious foreign universities.
Every year, 1,000 talented and promising young people are selected and awarded state grants to study at universities ranked among the world’s top 100. After graduation, they are directly included in the National Talent Pool. The advantage of this system is that they can be employed in government institutions without undergoing a competitive selection process. This means that in the future, they may also be involved in state governance. Additionally, young scientists who obtain a scientific degree from one of the top 100 universities can receive interest-free loans to purchase housing. In recent years, Uzbek youth have been actively demonstrating their potential in the IT sector at the international level. By winning top places in global mathematics, programming, and engineering competitions, they further strengthen the country’s prestige.
The startup ecosystem also deserves special attention: youth-led projects in artificial intelligence, fintech, and blockchain are actively developing, receiving support from venture funds and the state.
An IT Park was established in Tashkent, becoming an innovation hub for young developers. Thanks to this initiative, many startups such as Paymart, AIMobile, and others have successfully entered the international market. Furthermore, Uzbek IT specialists are increasingly participating in international hackathons and forums, representing the country on a global scale.
Over the past few years, Uzbekistan has seen the rise of numerous successful youth startups in e-commerce, fintech, and environmental sustainability. One of the most well-known projects, Makro Express, founded by young entrepreneurs, has made online delivery of goods convenient and accessible nationwide.
Agricultural and environmental startups are also developing rapidly. Young farmers are launching innovative projects to grow organic products using modern technology. State programs such as “Yoshlar – kelajagimiz” (Youth – Our Future) help aspiring entrepreneurs launch their projects and attract investments, contributing to economic growth and sustainable entrepreneurship in the country.
The achievements of Uzbekistan’s youth in recent years prove that the country is keeping pace with the times, advancing in science, sports, culture, and business. State support, ambition, and perseverance enable young professionals to achieve success not only within the country but also on the international stage.
Given the current pace of progress, it is safe to say that the future of Uzbekistan is in the reliable hands of talented and determined youth.