Dear Professors and Instructors, Dear Students and Members of the University Community

On February 24,  this year, an open dialogue was held at the Kuksaroy Residence between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the youth of our country. This historic meeting marked the beginning of a new stage in Uzbekistan’s development, particularly in the sphere of youth policy.

With the participation of more than 60,000 young people, the event clearly demonstrated our Head of State’s strong commitment to investing in human capital and supporting the younger generation.

As the community of the “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, we are committed to implemen the President’s “Entrepreneur of the Future” program in our institutional activities. At our University, we will establish a comprehensive system to support start-ups and innovative projects, while fully encouraging our students’ entrepreneurial initiatives in tourism and cultural heritage.

The University will provide practical assistance to faculty members and students who hold internationally recognized English language certificates in opening educational centers in remote regions. In particular, we will offer:

• Legal support in preparing and processing the necessary documentation for establishing educational centers;

• Access to учебные materials and methodological resources;

• The opportunity to operate these centers under the official brand of our University.

This initiative will help ensure access to quality education for young people in remote areas and contribute to their development as highly qualified professionals.

To further support our students’ business initiatives, we will strengthen cooperation with several commercial banks. From now on:

• Financial  banks such as Aloqabank and the National Bank of Uzbekistan will provide preferential loans for student business projects;

• Banks will organize special “Start-up Project” competitions for students, with winning projects receiving financial support;

• In cooperation with banking professionals, the University will establish an entrepreneurship advisory service to guide students through every stage of business development — from drafting a business plan to full implementation.

Within the framework of the “My First Profession” program, we will expand internship opportunities for our graduates in reputable tourism companies, hotels, and museums. Agreements will be concluded with employers to introduce mechanisms for financial incentives during students’ internship periods.

Going forward, we will take all necessary measures to ensure that our graduates enter the labor market not only with a higher education diploma, but also with at least one modern professional qualification and internationally recognized language certificates.

As emphasized by our President, higher education institutions now face fundamentally new responsibilities. Our University must become not only a center of learning, but also a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

To achieve this goal:

• The activities of the existing laboratories within the Tourism Academy in the fields of tourism and hospitality will be further strengthened;

• Through the expanded implementation of the dual education system, at least 50 percent of our students will gain substantial practical experience;

• By supporting spin-off ventures and start-up projects, we aim to transform our University into a driving force for tourism development in the Samarkand region — this is our strategic objective.

We will also establish a structured system to encourage student research. Annual competitions will be organized, and the best student research projects will be recognized and rewarded.

By expanding international cooperation, we will develop joint academic programs with leading tourism universities in Europe and Asia. We will also create favorable conditions for our talented students to participate in international exchange programs.

The dialogue at Kuksaroy serves as a clear roadmap for the future of our youth. The initiatives outlined there are supported by both financial resources and well-defined strategic goals. I am confident that the measures we implement at our University will enhance youth employment, unlock their full intellectual and economic potential, and contribute significantly to the accelerated development of the New Uzbekistan.

I wish you all good health, continued success, and outstanding achievements in your academic and professional endeavors.

Respectfully,
Muhsinjon Murodullaevich Kholmukhamedov
Rector of “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage