Transforming Uzbekistan into a regional IT hub is defined as one of the top priority goals of the “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy. To achieve this objective, special attention is being paid to the digitalization of public administration and economic sectors, the development of modern telecommunications infrastructure, the training of competitive IT professionals, and the expansion of the innovation ecosystem. In line with these efforts, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Tashkent Region to launch a series of major projects and initiatives in the field.
Cybersecurity and modern education: “Cyber University”
Operating in the city of Nurafshan, “Cyber University” is a leading higher education institution specializing in information security and digital technologies. This public university was established under the Ministry of Digital Technologies in accordance with a Presidential Decree dated January 20, 2025.
- Specializations: The university trains international-level specialists in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber law, digital forensics, and the cyber economy.
- Infrastructure: Comprising 2 faculties and 4 departments, the university currently educates nearly 1,000 students. The campus features an academic building with a capacity of 1,585 seats, a student dormitory for 805 residents, and modern sports facilities.
- “Green campus”: Built on principles of environmental sustainability, the university has been awarded “Green Campus” status.
During a warm conversation with the students, the President emphasized that without synchronizing every sector and region with digital technologies, the nation cannot successfully advance, urging the youth to continuously work on themselves and master cutting-edge knowledge.
The President laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Center for Future Technologies, which will be erected on a 36-hectare site adjacent to the university. Representing an investment of approximately $500 million, this project will form a unified innovative ecosystem integrating education, scientific research, testing, and production processes.
The center will feature:
- 6 Modern Laboratories: Dedicated to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and cryptography.
- Digital Infrastructure: An AI data center, an engineering cluster, and a dedicated testing ground for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and robotics.
- High-Tech Manufacturing: Production centers for secured computers, data transmission equipment, and high-tech security tokens.
- International Commercialization: Supported by the Asian Development Bank, a platform will be established to commercialize domestic technologies and enter global markets. To ensure stable power supply, a 5-megawatt energy capacity will be built.
The center is expected to create over 5,000 high-skilled jobs. During the ceremony, Uzbekistan’s global achievements in the IT sector in recent years were highlighted:
- Venture Capital Growth: Venture investments surged 5-fold this year, ranking Uzbekistan first in the world in terms of venture capital growth rate.
- Startup Ecosystem: The national startup ecosystem reached nearly $4.5 billion. To support innovative ideas, the Presidential Startup Contest was launched with a $5 million prize pool.
- Global AI Governance: Uzbekistan became one of the founding member states of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) platform/organization, taking a seat among nations shaping the global AI agenda.
This year, the export of digital services in Tashkent Region is expected to reach $50 million. To further expand this potential, construction has also begun on modern IT Park facilities in the cities of Nurafshan and Chirchik.
Additionally, the ceremony marked the launch of 9 new projects worth a total of $465 million, implemented in partnership with companies from Russia, China, and Germany. These projects are set to generate an additional 5,000 jobs.
“Our irreversible reforms, carried out with a long-term vision, will serve as a solid foundation for the future of our youth. ‘Digital Uzbekistan’ will become our worthy legacy for future generations,” stated President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
