Ignite Tomorrow: Uzbekistan’s Youth Craft the Nation’s Future

Uzbekistan Ascends as a Rapid Youth Development Leader

Highlights of the Country’s Momentum

• Fastest Climber on the Youth Development Index
• Top 10 Nations spearheading the UN Youth 2030 Strategy

Uzbekistan’s Youth Day Sparks a New Era of Innovation

In a nation where more than 60 % of the citizenry is younger than 30, the annual Youth Day has grown into a vibrant showcase of creativity, technical drive, and forward‑thinking policy reforms that are reshaping the country from the grassroots level.

Beyond Ceremonies: Real‑World Impact in Tashkent

This year’s celebration at the International Congress Centre gathered more than polite applause. The event spotlighted everyday trailblazers—artists, developers, inventors, and teachers—each sharing how they are actively shaping Uzbekistan’s future.

The Vision of Elmurod Polvonov

While most breakthroughs unfurl in polished laboratories or major tech hubs, Elmurod Polvonov demonstrates that real change can start in a simple workshop in Tashkent. As the director of the Innovation Centre at Tashkent Chemical International University, he is quietly steering a powerful movement: training the next generation of Uzbek engineers with a hands‑on approach.

• Raised amid machines and factories, Polvonov’s passion for technology began with tangible experience.
• He emphasized, “Since my youth, I’ve been drawn to mechanics. Being around real equipment made me want to understand how things worked not just on paper, but with my hands.”
• His philosophy—learning by doing—has become the foundation of his work.

Building the First Industry 4.0 Training Platform Locally

Central to Polvonov’s influence is a locally‑designed Industry 4.0 training rig. In Russia, many countries rely on expensive imports from companies like Germany’s Festo, often costing more than $1 million (€850 000). The Uzbek team built a comparable system that is five to seven times cheaper yet preserves all essential features, offering a cost‑effective, high‑quality training solution for budding engineers.

Leadership Sparks Innovation Among Youth

Engaging the Next Generation with Real‑World Factory Simulation

The president recently convened with a group of young learners, showcasing the transformative potential of hands‑on education. The centerpiece of the event was a fully integrated smart‑factory mock‑up that blends mechatronics, electronics, pneumatic sensors, and advanced robotics programming.

Bringing Theory to Life

According to Polvonov, students can design, code, and assemble robotic systems all within a single, cohesive platform. “This setup reflects the authentic workflow of modern production lines, like those at Artel,” he remarked.

Unlike conventional, purely theoretical laboratories, the exhibit guides participants through every stage of the engineering process—from initial concept to final execution. They begin with simple tasks such as programming the motion of a bus door, then advance to full‑scale automated systems.

Preparing Students for Industry

• Hands‑on design and simulation of industrial equipment
• Practical coding of robotic controls
• Assembly of real mechanical components

Upon graduation, participants have already mastered tools and workflows that firms actively employ. This pragmatic training has led to employment opportunities at leading national and international companies, including Technopark, Solar Nature, and Hyundai Elevator.

Employers have praised the curriculum, saying, “Your students already understand how to operate the systems we use. That’s the most valuable compliment we receive.”

Extending Innovation to Educators

Polvonov recognizes that technology’s impact is strongest when it permeates the classroom. To that end, his center offers professional development programs for teachers as well as students.

Many technical instructors have never interacted with a smart factory or a robotic arm. Polvonov’s initiative addresses this gap by providing educators with 60‑70 % of the practical knowledge needed to teach these systems effectively.

• Hands‑on sessions with industrial automation equipment
• Instruction on robotic arm programming
• Guidance on assembling control panels

Once trained, teachers return to regional colleges and vocational schools, bringing fresh skills and methodologies that ripple across the entire educational landscape.

Introducing art engineering

Artful Engineering: A New Frontier

Where Creativity Meets Code

Engineering has long been seen as a field filled with cables, physics, and meticulous calculations. Yet, a fresh wave of innovation is turning attention to a less discussed domain: art engineering. In this space, the spirit of design intertwines with programming, and aesthetic allure merges with practical function.

A Student‑Driven Revolution

Polvonov and his crew invite students to craft works that stir emotions while employing technological tools. One standout project features a three‑dimensional portrait of Einstein assembled entirely from discarded keyboard keys.

Transforming the Engineer’s Identity

By merging visual artistry with engineering resources, students move beyond seeing themselves merely as technicians. Instead, they recognize their true role as infinite inventors.

Art Engineering School Highlights

• Monthly exhibitions that showcase student creations.
• Plans to expand the school’s reach nationwide.
• A mission to make engineering accessible, inclusive, and compelling for those who may not fit the conventional laboratory mold.

Coding’s future: From Excel to AI

Meet Akbar Turdiboyev – The “Excel Guy” Shaping Uzbekistan’s Tech Scene

Akbar Turdiboyev sparked a nationwide movement by turning his love for spreadsheets into a community of more than 200,000 enthusiasts.

How the Journey Began

• 2018: Initial passion for spreadsheet tricks inspires a local fan base.
• 2021: Launches an online learning course aimed at teaching Excel fundamentals.
• Outcome: The product wasn’t an instant hit; sales and engagement lagged.

Turning Setbacks into Success

Rather than abandon the idea, Turdiboyev pivoted:

• Reimagined the course structure, focusing on bite‑size, high‑value modules.
• Leveraged short, viral videos on social media to attract new users.
• Introduced practical, user‑centred tools that small businesses needed.

From 0 to 100,000 Users

Within just two years Turdiboyev’s startup grew to a user base of 100,000, establishing a dynamic platform that marries information commerce with cutting‑edge innovation.

• Features: ready‑to‑use Excel templates, custom automations, and microlearning courses.
• Support: receives government‑backed funding and mentorship.

Beyond Teaching Excel

“Our focus isn’t solely on Excel skills or artificial intelligence,” Turdiboyev explains. “We want to prove that mastering digital tools creates real careers—pursuable from home.”

Through strategy that stays tightly user‑driven, Turdiboyev is clearly showing how the power of spreadsheets and AI can reshape livelihoods across the country, turning a personal hobby into a nation‑wide tech phenomenon.

The artist who hammers threads into portraits

Miss Aziza Pulatova: From Nail Portraits to a Nationwide Creative Movement

Aziza Pulatova, renowned for her extraordinary string artistry and co‑founder of the M.O.C. creative collective, crafts monumental portraits using thousands of nails and threads. Her works blend intricate technique with profound emotional resonance. In addition to her visual art, Pulatova leads a creative agency that specializes in commercial videos and documentary film production.

A Journey from DIY to Cultural Phenomenon

What started as an experimental hobby has blossomed into a country‑wide artistic movement. With her team, she has organized more than 50 cultural festivals across Uzbekistan, from the bustling streets of Tashkent to the remote town of Muynak.

Upcoming Initiatives

• Launching creative education programs for children in underserved regions.
• Expanding the M.O.C. collective’s outreach to include collaborative projects with local artisans.
• Producing new documentary series that highlight regional cultural heritage.

Aziza Pulatova and M.O.C.: Crafting Cultural Convergence

Beyond Festivals: A New Creative Vision

“We don’t simply organize festivals,” Aziza declares. “Instead, we forge fleeting experiences where creativity, community, and purpose interlace.”

The Economic Edge: Turning Passion into Profession

M.O.C. dedicates itself to securing financial sustainability for emerging artists. By transforming art from a hobby into a pragmatic career, the collective grants:

• Ongoing support for young creatives.
• Clear pathways to professional engagement.
• Affirmation that a life fueled by art is both meaningful and viable.

“Our mission is to inspire the next generation to recognize that a creative lifestyle can be purposeful, engaging, and economically sound,” notes Pulatova.

$145 million for young start-ups

Uzbekistan Takes a Leading Role in Youth Development Initiatives

Rapid Rise on the Global Stage

In recent assessments, Uzbekistan has climbed the ranks as one of the most rapidly advancing nations on the Youth Development Index. It also secures a spot within the top ten of countries actively advancing the UN Youth 2030 Strategy.

Substantial Investment in Young Entrepreneurs

The government has committed $145 million (€125 million) to nurture youth-powered start‑ups. This fund is part of a broader plan to expand the total to $1 billion in the coming years.

Key initiatives include:

• The Youth Venture Fund that offers grants and prototype financing.
• Creation of 9,000 leadership roles for young people across district administrations.
• The One Million AI Leaders programme, launched in partnership with the United Arab Emirates.
• Support for student placements at top tier institutions: 30 students now studying at the world’s leading ten universities, and another 1,500 students in the top 300 worldwide.

Symbolic Honors and Youth Capitals

In a landmark tribute, Tashkent was designated the Youth Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Likewise, Bukhara earned the distinction of Youth Capital of the Turkic World.

Leadership’s Vision for Future Generations

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed a gathering of young activists, underscoring the nation’s long‑term strategy:

“Every achievement of our young people amplifies our national strength. You represent the golden generation that will craft a renewed narrative for Uzbekistan, the architects of our New Uzbekistan.”