Science and education are the engines of progress in Uzbekistan

The events taking place in the world, rapidly changing politics, waves of mutual contradictions require more attention to issues of science, education and spirituality. For only spiritually mature people who possess modern knowledge and love their Homeland can live in conditions of progress. The upbringing of a generation with a high intellectual level and its entry into all parts of society will lead to the renewal and development of spheres.   

The great philosopher Confucius was right when he said, "Ignorance is the darkest night for humanity." Knowledge, science elevate a person, and ignorance pulls him to the bottom. Therefore, a society that thinks about a prosperous future gives knowledge to the younger generation. 
It is no coincidence that our Jadid ancestors believed that enlightenment was the primary basis for bringing the country out of illiteracy. 
The construction of the foundation of the third Renaissance in Uzbekistan has become a reality. How strong it will be depends on the young, who have national pride and high spirituality, know the basics of modern sciences, foreign languages, and the secrets of professions. This means that schools, universities, and teachers must change according to the time, they must update their working methods and the organization of the educational process. There is no other way. 
As an example of how education has changed the fate of states, one can cite Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia, which have been dubbed the "Asian tigers". These were countries whose economies were in decline, and they achieved independence with great difficulty. To improve the situation, these States started with education reform.
In the modern world, the extent to which science is developed in a particular country can be found by the number of high technologies exported. For example, in Singapore, 58 percent of the goods exported per year are high-tech. If we want to further strengthen our place in the world, we must first pay attention to the development of science and education. 
A resource whose value is growing
In the market of educational services, a competitive product appears as a result of the training of qualified personnel. Human capital is a resource whose value is growing in the modern economy. 
For the development of human capital, we must get rid of prejudice. According to statistics, an average of 300 thousand weddings are held in Uzbekistan per year. The cost of them is almost three billion dollars. A hundred years ago, the famous educator Mahmudhoja Behbudi wrote: "Use the money you spend on weddings to get an education!" Now, although times have changed, these trends still remain with us. In the current modernizing country, it is extremely important to correct this in the national mentality. 
Mahmudhoja Behbudi called for people who run the state to pay more attention to education. Knowledge is success in all spheres, and lack of education destroys not only the person himself, but also the whole society.
Issues of science and education are always relevant. In the current age of progress, young people should be brought up by harmoniously developed personalities. 
An educated person will not be deceived by an alien idea. So raising children at the level of modern requirements is a high responsibility of each of us. Nowadays, a young person should be physically healthy and spiritually mature, possess a profession and modern technologies. Only then will it be possible to achieve the intended goals. 
The Jadid Way is an example for us
A person should be able to use the mind and knowledge given to him, be aware of scientific inventions appearing in the world, and put them into practice. 
Why are some countries at the center of technology development and have moved forward?  Because they did not go with the flow, but chose a difficult and thorny path of scientific research. Although we faced losses and difficulties along the way, we still strove forward towards a certain goal. 
The great educator Mahmudhoja Behbudi remained faithful to the position: "Only by realizing ourselves, our people can solve socio-political issues on an equal footing with others." The Jadid ancestors paid great attention to the development of science. This was also discussed at the international conference on the Jadidism movement held in Tashkent. 
By choosing the path of the Jadids, we claim a new life. For the development of the country, it is necessary first of all to strengthen the consciousness and thinking of the people. And this is the path of enlightenment. 
History is our teacher. It shows what we did right and what we were wrong about. If the education sector does not change today, the future may become unstable. Therefore, this issue is being raised at the state level.  
Harmony of education and practice
From the very beginning of independence, we had to take special care of education, prepare and value strong personnel and specialists. It is only now that we realize that the basis of progress in the country lies in science and education.
Developed countries have well-established systems and institutions that perform their functions. We need them too. Faith in the future is necessary. We have pessimistic views. Some young people think that they need to go abroad, and everything will be fine. This situation can be corrected only with the help of a well-organized education system. 
It is important to change the attitude towards child development in the family and school. Parents, teachers and mentors should see each child as a person. Based on this requirement, we must raise children as perfect individuals who are able to think independently and deeply. This requires a close relationship between the processes of education and upbringing. 
Fundamental reforms in the education system are currently being implemented. Presidential and creative schools are opening, schools specializing in certain subjects — mathematics, chemistry, biology, which is a completely new system. The number of information technology training organizations for young people is increasing. The first fruits of this work are already visible. The number of young men and women studying on a grant basis at leading universities in the USA, France, Germany, Great Britain, and South Korea is growing. In order to support the young, the construction of technoparks continues. Within the framework of the One Million Programmers project, thousands of boys and girls are taught the basics of computer programming for free. Contests and competitions are held to develop the leadership abilities of young people, increase their activity, provide comprehensive support, and promote best practices. This helps to further enhance their intellectual potential and organizational abilities.  
In the context of globalization, young people are required to possess solid knowledge of information technology. 
Innovation in the field of technology is a requirement of the time
In order for the country to achieve economic sustainability and be able to develop industry, it is necessary to increase attention to technology, especially in the field of engineering. European countries, through the IT sphere and the development of technology, form promising programs and theories, and achieve their widespread implementation in practice. As a result, there are promising opportunities for making carefully thought-out decisions based on the modern economy. 
The field of engineering is closely connected with the economy in the production of technological equipment and machines necessary for economic sectors. 
Innovations in the field increase the export potential of countries. In our republic, special emphasis is placed on providing employment through the technological development of the modern economy, reducing poverty and increasing human capital. 
It is necessary to attract foreign specialists, develop school directions and programs, and expand industrial cooperation. It is also necessary to implement localization projects with state funding, accelerate the development of industry, and introduce advanced foreign experience into the process of training engineers. It is envisaged that engineering schools will be provided with modern textbooks based on international educational programs. Students will receive national and international certificates in at least one foreign language. High school students will be assigned to the departments of research institutes and higher educational institutions in their specialty to practice directly at the enterprise.  
The Head of State indicated that it is necessary to effectively use the opportunities of more than 700 vocational schools and colleges. On this basis, one technical school in each region implements European standards of vocational education. In particular, engineering schools are organized jointly with prestigious international organizations in the fields of chemical industry, electrical engineering, transport and energy. Modern educational institutions for the training of engineers inspire confidence that in the future the fields of engineering and technology in the country will develop rapidly.
Rapid growth in the field of engineering will require a skilled workforce to use modern machines and mechanisms and maintain them. This will open up employment opportunities for the population. In this area, the role of scientific research in higher education is important. From this point of view, the training of specialists with intellectual potential is becoming more and more relevant. 

The pursuit of science and education, reverence for the family, moral purity, respect for elders, care for the younger, devotion to values — all these best features have long been inherent in our people, our nation. We must protect this priceless heritage, multiply it and pass it on to the next generations. If we don't educate and educate young people today and solve their problems, then tomorrow it will be too late. After all, the development of society is determined by the attitude towards science and education. This is a truth that does not require proof. 

Kungrathbai Sharipov, 
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation 
The Republic of Uzbekistan.