In the higher education system of Uzbekistan, the role of universities is shifting from merely providing knowledge to creating sustainable economic value. One of the most striking examples of this transformation is the ISFT Institute (International School of Finance and Technology). Today, with over 30,000 students, this international institution has begun its transition from a traditional academic model to an “Entrepreneurial University” model. This process is not just a series of extracurricular activities, but the result of a long-term strategic vision by the institute’s leadership.
“Our mission is to provide students with more than just a profession; we aim to instill in them the confidence to launch their own initiatives and take full responsibility for the results,” states the Rector of ISFT Ibrahim Gulomov.
The core objective of ISFT’s management is to provide students with more than just a modern profession; it aims to cultivate the ability to bring ideas to life and take responsibility for results. Under this approach, education is inextricably linked with practice, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. The institute’s international ECAQA accreditation and its comprehensive programs in business, finance, IT, and economics serve as a solid foundation for this transformation.
The first practical step in these systemic changes was the launch of an experimental “Business Incubation Program” in 2023. This program was designed to treat entrepreneurship not as a textbook subject, but as a lived experience. It was here that students began working on their own ideas, testing hypotheses, and conducting market research. In 2024, this direction gained international momentum: ISFT initiated a partnership with ALMAU University in Kazakhstan, a regional leader in entrepreneurial education. Year-long joint training sessions and strategic meetings were instrumental in creating a sustainable entrepreneurial environment within the institute.
By 2025, these efforts intensified. The “Startup Days” event held in March became a true testing ground for students. Over two days, supported by mentors, they refined their projects and engaged with investors in a “Speed Dating” format. This exposure allowed students to receive direct, unfiltered feedback from the market. As a logical progression, the Entrepreneurial Center was officially established at the institute. The center’s mission is to provide continuous support in transforming students’ theoretical knowledge into viable business projects.
Currently, the quality and quantity of startups emerging from the ISFT ecosystem demonstrate the success of this chosen path. For instance, Logeify, founded by Anora (CEO) and Munisa Abdujalilova (Head of Sales), is an AI-driven platform optimizing logistics operations. Yolda, a municipal mobility platform founded by Botir Almatov, has already secured 2nd place at Angel Investor Day. Other notable projects include Tourify, a digital tourism service by Usmonbek Oqilov, and EcoLink, a GreenTech initiative managed by Aygun Valiyeva and Elizavetta Shutikova along with their team. Furthermore, GribGrow, an agrotech startup that reached net profitability within just two months, stands as a prime example of the practical impact of entrepreneurial mindset training.
The institute’s international activity is equally noteworthy. As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), ISFT served as the official host for the “Enterprise and Innovation with AI” day, showcasing the role of artificial intelligence in modern business. Such events help students grasp not only local but also global trends. By the end of 2025, the subsequent business incubation cycle in partnership with ALMAU became a systemic mechanism for guiding students from the initial idea to the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stage.
Looking ahead, ISFT plans to gradually integrate entrepreneurial disciplines into all curricula and support women’s and social entrepreneurship. As the institute’s leadership emphasizes, the primary result is not just the number of startups, but the emergence of a new level of thinking among students. Today, ISFT continues to strengthen ties with international organizations, investors, and business representatives as an open platform for collaboration, elevating the university’s role in the development of society and the market.
