New Uzbekistan University is emerging as a hub for AI, innovation, and global collaboration driving the nation’s shift toward a tech-powered future.
Uzbekistan is expanding its efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) through the creation of a new AI cluster centred at New Uzbekistan University in Tashkent.
The initiative aims to establish a modern AI ecosystem that unites education, science, and business, another step forward in implementing the "Digital Uzbekistan 2030" strategy.
Why New Uzbekistan University?
The government selected New Uzbekistan University as the hub for this initiative, citing its strong focus on science, engineering, and international collaboration. Though established only in 2021, the institution has quickly gained a reputation as the country’s most dynamic academic and research centre.
“Our goal is to create a university that doesn’t only teach, but solves real problems,” Bahodir Ahmedov, acting first vice-rector for academic affairs, told Euronews.
“We work closely with businesses, the government, and international partners so that our students and researchers can apply their knowledge in practice".
More than 1,700 students currently study at New Uzbekistan University in nine undergraduate and six graduate programmes. Over half of its 80 professors are foreign academics, many from universities ranked in the global top 600.
The institution’s autonomy, rare in Uzbekistan’s higher education system, allows it to shape curricula and partnerships independently.
From classrooms to startups
Innovation at university extends well beyond lecture halls. Students are encouraged to turn their ideas into startups and research projects supported by mentors and investors.
Third-year software engineering student Lobar Ashurova co-founded a platform that links IT students with technology firms for internships and jobs. The project secured $15,000 (almost €13,000) in seed funding from United Ventures.
“What makes university special is that we don’t just study theory — we build real products,” she said.
Otabek Atabayev, now a research assistant, works on sustainable water-treatment systems using biopolymers derived from local plant waste. His project won regional recognition in Huawei’s Seeds for the Future competition.
“This university gave me the tools and confidence to compete internationally,” he said. “It’s where science meets opportunity".
Another student is focusing on digital literacy and cultural heritage. Gulasal Salimova leads a project exploring how Uzbekistan’s scientific past from scholars like Al-Khwarizmi to Ulugh Beg connects with modern STEM education.
“We want young people to see that innovation is already part of our identity,” she said.
International partnerships
New Uzbekistan University’s global outlook is supported by long-term cooperation with TUM International, a subsidiary of the Technical University of Munich. Together they are running a project on entrepreneurship and sustainability, linking students with European mentors and industry partners.
“We’ve worked with New Uzbekistan University since its beginning,” said Kathrin Albrecht, a senior manager at TUM International. “It’s impressive how fast it has matured. The university is now a credible partner for European institutions and a model for others in the region".
The university collaborates with some of the world’s leading institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States), the Technical University of Munich (Germany), Cambridge University Press & Assessment (United Kingdom), and Khalifa University (United Arab Emirates).
Global technology companies have also invested in training facilities on campus, including an Apple Authorized Training Center for Education, a Huawei ICT Academy, and a Yandex Machine Learning School, the first of its kind in Central Asia.
“This is a 12-months course equivalent to an MSC degree. We have taken on students from, from all kinds of backgrounds,” said professor Fliege Jorg.
“Afterwards you have basically an equivalent to an MSC degree and [are] ready to launch your career in machine learning and related areas".
For many, the university’s Apple Authorized Training Center for Education has opened a direct path to the global job market. According to Sevara Aliyeva, a teaching assistant in data structures and algorithms, "after a three-month Swift programming course, our students can become junior iOS developers".
“Three of the five certified Apple trainers in Central Asia work right here at university," she said.
Sevinch Mavlonova, who completed the programme, described it as life-changing: “Thanks to the Apple certification, I built my own app and secured my first internship,” she said.
“The experience gave me confidence to continue developing new ideas — and even start a project with other girls for the Digital Generation Girls competition, which we won".
Expanding beyond technology
While the upcoming AI Cluster remains the university’s flagship project, New Uzbekistan University’s ambitions reach further.
“Nearly 20,000 teachers are going to be trained on the AI literacy and also AI tools until the next year. So this is the huge systematic programme supported by the presidential administration, by the minister of the preschool and school education," Ahmedov said.
"At the same time, the second hot topic is the medical education," Ahmedov added.
Construction has begun on a new campus that will include a medical school and an attached health clinic, both expected to open next year. The programme will merge health education with data science and engineering, preparing doctors for the age of digital medicine.
Another initiative, the planned school of agrotechnologies, will focus on modernising Uzbekistan’s agriculture through automation, data analytics, and sustainable engineering.
“Our vision is to integrate disciplines, medicine with technology, agriculture with engineering,” said Ahmedov. “That’s how we will train the next generation of problem-solvers".
A symbol of change
New Uzbekistan University has also made its mark in student life and national competitions. It is placed second in the Zakovat intellectual tournament, and is one of the few universities in the country licensed to host TEDx events, with several featured on the official TEDx YouTube channel.
The first cohort of graduates, who completed their studies in 2025, includes 37 students now pursuing master’s degrees abroad.
“Our students are academically strong and socially active,” said Khilola Nazirova, vice-rector for youth and spiritual education.
“They embody the values of the new Uzbekistan: Open-minded, confident, and forward-looking".
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