Dear University Community — esteemed professors and lecturers, dear students, and dedicated staff members

At a meeting held at the Kukсарой Residence, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, put forward historic initiatives and decisions aimed at supporting young people. These tasks are of strategic importance for the activities of our university as well.

We define the systematic implementation of all the outlined opportunities and tasks into university life as a top priority.

1. Working with Youth — An Absolute Priority

From now on, every Thursday will be observed as “Youth Day” in all ministries, agencies, and local authorities.

At our university on this day:

• The Rector and university leadership will hold open dialogue meetings;

• Youth-related issues will be addressed on the spot;

• Student initiatives will receive dedicated support.

2. Graduate Employment and the “My First Profession” Program

Within the framework of the “My First Profession” program, university graduates will receive a monthly stipend of up to 2 million UZS during their internship period.

In addition, entrepreneurs who hire at least five graduates will have the opportunity to receive loans of up to 10 billion UZS. This will elevate university–employer cooperation to a new level.

3. Unprecedented Financial Support for Youth Entrepreneurship

An additional 200 million US dollars will be allocated for the development of youth entrepreneurship.

Preferential financing measures include:

• Increasing the credit limit for self-employed youth up to 300 million UZS;

• Raising loan amounts for young entrepreneurs’ projects up to 10 billion UZS;

• Allowing investments of up to 100,000 USD in innovative startups.

Under the “Future Entrepreneur” program:

• 7-year loans at 15% interest;

• Up to 20 million UZS without collateral (for the self-employed);

• Up to 300 million UZS (for those starting a new business);

• Up to 2 billion UZS (for business expansion);

• Up to 10 billion UZS (for those employing five graduates).

Starting from March 1, infrastructure connection costs for young people launching new businesses will be covered by the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Fund.

Within the “Support” project, interest-free loans of up to 300 million UZS will be provided to those seeking to expand their businesses.

4. Startups and Business Infrastructure

• A “Youth Business Incubator” will be launched in every region;

• In cooperation with prestigious universities such as Harvard University and Stanford University, 40,000 young people will be trained under the “Next Generation Entrepreneurs” program;

• 1,000 successful graduates of the program will receive concessional loans of up to 200 million UZS for 3 years at 7% interest;

• In the “Young Entrepreneurs” competition, the 100 best projects will receive funding of up to 1 billion UZS;

• Within the “Growth and Development” project, 40 startups will receive 2 billion UZS in funding;

• Banks will prepare free business plans for 50,000 young people and provide entrepreneurship training to 20,000 youth.

5. Vocational Education and International Experience

• Startups in technical colleges will receive financial support of up to 1 billion UZS;

• Through the “Work and Travel” program, technical college students will have opportunities to work abroad;

• Up to 500 million UZS will be allocated to each district to establish vocational laboratories;

• The Youth Affairs Agency, in cooperation with private training centers, will train 20,000 young people annually in future-oriented professions.

An “Association of Training Centers” will be established, and its members will receive tax benefits. In remote regions, the social tax will be set at 1%, and income tax at 7.5%.

Teachers will undertake internships in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Japan.

6. Volunteering and Social Projects

Under the Youth Affairs Agency, a Volunteer Support Fund will be established with an annual allocation of 62 billion UZS.

• The best volunteer projects will receive grants of up to 100 million UZS;

• An International Inclusive Youth Camp will be established in the city of Samarkand.

7. Social Protection and Housing

For young families, the portion of mortgage interest exceeding 14% will be covered by the state budget.

Under the “Second Chance” project, young people who have completed their sentences will receive free training in IT professions and foreign languages.

8. Spiritual Development and Reading Culture

Through the Reading Culture Development Fund:

• Talented writers will receive a monthly stipend of 20 million UZS;

• The most active readers in schools will receive awards of 10 million UZS;

• Entrepreneurs selling more than 10,000 books per month will be eligible for concessional loans of up to 1 billion UZS at 7% interest.

Dear colleagues,

All 32 initiatives and decisions outlined above represent tremendous opportunities for nurturing an educated, entrepreneurial, competitive, and socially active generation.

Our university must become:

• An institution that ensures graduate employment;

• A platform for creating startups;

• A center for preparing champions;

• A hub of spirituality and reading culture;

• A model educational institution that guarantees social justice.

I call upon all of you to be proactive and initiative-driven in putting these historic opportunities into practice.