The 1 September issue of "Народное слово" features an analytical article by Professor Sherzod Mustafakulov, Rector of Nordic International University, reflecting on the development lessons of Uzbekistan’s 35 years of independence and the country’s prospects for securing a stronger and more prominent place on the global stage.
The article takes stock of Uzbekistan’s 35-year journey while also looking ahead to the country’s next historic milestones.
Particular attention is devoted to the profound changes of the past decade, examined through the key dimensions of education, science, human capital, economic modernisation and international openness. The article highlights the major social transformations reflected in the expansion of higher education, the strengthening of the country’s research capacity and the growing scope of international cooperation.
How can we now move beyond expanding scale and bring quality to a truly global level?
The article also engages with the perspective of Oden Aghapour, President of Agenda Nexus – Research & Policy Institute, whose recent piece, “Shavkat Mirziyoyev — Leader of the Eastern Renaissance,” offers an external perspective on Uzbekistan’s transformation.
Aghapour’s assessment of Uzbekistan as a country seeking to harmonise its historical heritage, reforms and aspirations for modern development provides an important international lens through which to understand the country’s ongoing transformation.
A society that deeply understands its own history can engage with the global world without losing its identity. The Swedish expert interprets Uzbekistan through the lenses of historical heritage, human capital, modernisation, diplomacy and global ambitions. He expresses this idea as follows:
“Transforming historical heritage into confidence, confidence into reforms, and reforms into a modern national Renaissance.”
In other words, history should serve not merely as a source of pride, but as intellectual capital for building the future.
One idea highlighted in the article deserves particular reflection: being worthy heirs to our great ancestors means not merely honouring their legacy, but having the courage to create new knowledge and make new discoveries, as they once did.
Today, at 35, Uzbekistan stands as a young and increasingly confident nation. The next, more demanding stage lies ahead: strengthening political and economic independence through a new form of development sovereignty grounded in knowledge, technology, innovation and human capital.
The world of the future will not be conquered by force, but by intellect.
And to rise to that challenge, we must set the ladder of knowledge ever higher — all the way to the sky.
📖 Read the full article in the 3 September issue of "Народное слово".
