TASHKENT ( WNAM MONITORING): On 25 February, Tashkent hosted the “Development of the Startup Ecosystem in Universities” forum, organized by IT Park Uzbekistan with support from the Ministry of Digital Technologies.
The event brought together leading experts, university representatives, startup founders, and investors to discuss the role of higher education institutions in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
The forum was opened by Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov, who emphasized the need to integrate educational programs with the business sector and create favorable conditions for students to develop entrepreneurial skills. “Universities should not only be centers of knowledge but also platforms for launching startups and supporting student initiatives,” the minister stated.
Among the keynote speakers were:
Jahongir Normatov, Head of Local2Global
Dalerkhon Nodirov, Deputy Director of Investments at IT Park Ventures
Bobur Abdullayev, Rector of Inha University in Tashkent
Nargiza Kasimova, Director of the Digital Finance Acceleration Center
Ravshanbek Ibragimov, Executive Director of the Tashkent branch of Startup Garage
Muhammad Mahmudov, Director of Plug and Play Uzbekistan
Abdulahad Kuchkarov, Director of IT Park Uzbekistan
A highlight of the event was the speech by Bobur Abdullayev, Rector of Inha University in Tashkent, who outlined the university’s strategy for establishing innovation centers and incubation programs that enable students to develop ideas and turn them into successful businesses.
The forum served as a vital platform for exchanging experiences and discussing modern incubation and acceleration programs, venture investment prospects, and the overall development of Uzbekistan’s technology sector. Participants explored successful startup case studies and discussed new collaboration opportunities.
The event reinforced Uzbekistan’s position as an emerging startup hub and demonstrated the commitment of universities to driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
