Meet the Youth Leadership Participants from Uzbekistan!
Since August 2, FIUTS has been honored to host 17 students and one adult mentor from Uzbekistan as part of the Uzbekistan Youth Leadership Program! Over the last three weeks, this group has learned so much about leadership development, community project planning, environmental sustainability and justice, cross-cultural exchange, and civic engagement. This program is produced in partnership with American Councils for International Education, with funding from the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent.
We have been so thrilled to be able to safely welcome our first in-person Visiting Programs group in nearly a year and a half. Read on to learn more about our incredible participants!
Shokhrukh Khaltaev // From Tashkent, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I live in sunny Tashkent which is famous for the modest and neat architecture of buildings in the city as well as for its rapid development. Most of all, I admire the warm hospitality of the people of this city and the delicious national cuisine that is unique.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
Despite the advantages, there are also problems in my country such as corruption and human rights that require attention and solution. Without solving these problems, the country cannot develop in any aspect.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In 10 years, I see myself as the CTO of an international company where I will come up with and develop software that will help people, and I also see myself as an active person fighting for human rights and acceptance of people with disabilities as ordinary people in society.
Sadiya Abbasova // From Namangan, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Namangan, one of 3 Ferghana valley regions. I love how Namangan is called the city of flowers, as we have hundreds of flower types and even organize the annual Flowers Festival!
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I have been working on the issue of girls in STEM, especially in my region where I come from information technology is taught poorly and girls don’t show much interest in IT.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
After finishing the university I am planning to pursue Masters abroad; launch many more community projects, help and inspire my community. I also see myself developing from an academic and professional perspective.
Sevara Kadirova // From Fergana, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am coming from a beautiful small town Fergana in Uzbekistan. Even though I recently moved to the capital, Tashkent, I always come back to my hometown to walk around its parks, which are surrounded by high trees, hike in the nearest mountains, and just enjoy Fergana’s fresh air.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
There is a wide range of problems from different spheres, which I care and worry about. On a global level, it is definitely gender inequality, because almost all women, including myself, were faced with this issue at least once in their lifetime. Women empowerment is definitely something that is widely talked about, but there is still a long way to overcome the issue.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In 2031 I see myself as a successful person, working at the media sphere. Whether I work at TV or make films, I will always try to tell stories and share my thoughts, that are authentic, inspiring and worth listening to.
Munira Bakhadirova // From Khiva, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from one of the most ancient cities of the Republic of Uzbekistan, it is called Khiva. Khiva has a rich history, unique fortresses, ancient buildings, numerous museums, different kinds of arts and handicrafts which attracts thousands of tourists annually!
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I would like to help to improve the education system in my country and provide more and more opportunities for youth to study abroad, especially for those who don't have enough recourses. Moreover, I have a passion to be more than I am, I want to develop and in the future be an example for others.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
My goal is to contribute to my country by working in the American Councils in Tashkent and strengthen international relationships. That is how I see myself doing in the future!
Diyora Kambaralieva // From Fergana, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Fergana, and I love its beautiful landscape.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
As a medical student, I have some understandings related to issues in medicine, and that's what I care most. Locally, especially in remote areas in Uzbekistan we have lack of good medical healthcare.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I decided to be an oncologist, so after a decade I will be finding new and better ways to treat cancer and help cancer patients.
Akramjon Akhmadjonov // From Namangan, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Namangan, and the thing I like in my city the most is its nature.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I sometimes think deeply about the education quality in both my city and country. It is because when I was in rural area several times, I saw that they can't get well quality education during their school times. I hope, one day I will be able to be one of the people who can contribute to solve this problem.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I have many goals and plans which should be achieved in ten years. Firstly, I will finish my studies and start my own business in the near future. After that I will try to be one of the most important people in my community helping people as much as I can.
Abdurakhmon Kazi // Samarkand, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I was raised in the cultural center of Uzbekistan, Samarkand. Having lived most of my life in a small city, I had the chance to explore the entire city, every and each corner of it.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
Growing up I could not help but notice people not caring about the light pollution in the city, about people stealing the new generations of the opportunities to explore the night sky with a naked eye, and developing an interest in astronomy as a result. In fact, this is not the issue, the real issue is the lack of attention and funding towards astronomy.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I wasted my time at school not paying enough attention to education. It was only during my gap year that I truly realized the value of learning. My carelessness at school stole me of the time to find the definitive goal of my life, so now in the middle of my research for my goal in life and relearning everything I could not learn at school, the only thing I am certain I will be doing in 10 years is learning(and probably taking a shower too).
Aydana Jakipbaeva // From Nukus, Karakalpakstan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Nukus in the Republic of Karakalpakstan ( You might have never known that before but there is the autonomous Republic of Krakalpakstan in Uzbekistan)
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I mostly care about gender equality and do really wish to help women of my community to get an education, see the world, and experience all the charms of our planet!
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself presenting my best clothing collections in Milan Fashion show.
Zarina Otamirzaeva // From Tashkent, Uzbekistan
What is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Tashkent that is the capital of Uzbekistan. The main thing I like here is hospitable people that are ready to give you a helping hand in any kind of situation.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
The main global issue I care about is environmental pollution( air, water, everything) and from local issues I worry about inequality here in terms of everything.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I am seeing myself in 10 years being a leader example to young girls as me at the moment and making them to be sure and do not hesitate to choose this field ( international relations).
Shaxina Muhammadova // From Buxara, Uzbekistan
What is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Buxara, which is quite an old city and what I really like about my city is the huge variety of opportunities for young people to enhance their knowledge.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I am mostly concerned about environmental deterioration in my city with the deforestation activities going on throughout the last decade, and I would like to search for ways to integrate nature to the city landscape.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In ten years I can see myself working as an editor.
Shakhzod Musaev // From Andijan, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
Originally I am from Andijan, a major city in Uzbekistan. The place I from is mainly known with it's sightseeing environment and hospitable society.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I am mostly concerned with the problem of unemployment, because it is a social issue which not only makes it difficult for people to live but also creates new problems for society.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
Regardless what kind of profession I will be doing in the next ten years, I will help and support poor and unemployed people as much as possible.
Akmal Samandarov // From Navoi City, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Navoi City. It serves the industrial capital of Uzbekistan. It's located just between the two most famous or landmark cities of Uzbekistan: Bukhara and Samarkand. The thing I like most about my hometown is its peacefulness and calmness. People seem like they do not really rush here. Not much noise, no traffic, low rate of crime. In a fast-paced global world, I just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
Quality of education is one issue that I care about most. If we look at any local or global issue, the underlying problem is most probably connected with a huge gap in people's knowledge and understanding.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I am a junior software engineer at the moment. In ten years, I will be running my own tech company.
Shakhzoda Mirakova // From Bukhara, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am originally from Bukhara and my city has been known as a cradle of science, enlightenment and culture. Even as a local, I get fascinated every single time, when I see our architecture, taste our national cuisine and walk through our ancient streets.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
As a social activist, I am passionate about engaging Uzbek youth in many activities that are connected with education, human rights and ecology. I believe that the most profound local issues lay within these spheres, because our country has just stepped into a new level of development.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I hope that in the future I will become a professional project manager as well as an experienced entrepreneur and have a chance to work and integrate with the youth from different parts of the world. As for our Uzbek youth, I want to share all of my takeaways and broaden their horizons through camps, leadership programs and workshops.
Surayyo Khayrullaeva // From Karshi, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
There is no place like home. I love my small city where I was born and live with my parents. Karshi is not the capital, but it is a wonderful place to live. Because Karshi is both old and modern at the same time and it stands on the river. The reason why I love my city is people in there. They are hard-working, amiable and supportive.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I really do care about girls education. Worldwide, 129 million girls are out of school. In most families, parents invest their money educating their sons rather than their daughters. Many girls study well at their school life but cannot have university degree because of early marriage and they have to stop their education. Parents, society, we have to support and invest in girls’ education. Investing in girls’ education is good for our planet.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
Ten years from now, I see myself as a stronger, smarter, and independent woman who already made a positive impact for her society. Who will be running "Girls Supporting Centre" in order to help girls to get their bachelors degree.
Boburmirzo Abdulkhaev // From Andijan, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I live in one of the astonishing regions of Uzbekistan called Andijan, Bulakbashi district. I love the hospitality.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
Roads are in very bad condition. This is causing damage to cars and inconveniences.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I am crazy about travelling. In ten years, I will be travelling to a number of countries and learning their culture.
Sherzod Norkobilov // From Surkhandarya, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Surkhandarya. I love our local cuisine, which is very famous around the region.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I care mostly about environmental issues like soil degradation, if our lands become unproductive, then humanity will face a very big problem.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
I see myself in an IT company which produces both software and hardware that help doctors to make accurate decisions.
Azizbek Mamajanov // From Tashkent, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Tashkent Uzbekistan, the main thing which makes my area special is our culture, traditions, and current fast developments.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
I have been always interested in the issue which is associated with unemployment, because around 20% of the people go to another countries to work because of lack of occupations and salary.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In ten years I see my as a head of giant IT company and stock sharer of the biggest companies of the world and charity organizer for unemployed and homeless people.
Vladlena Magay // Mentor // From Tashkent, Uzbekistan
What city/town are you from and what is something you love about the place you are from?
I am from Tashkent. I love people, streets, food, lifestyle and that it keeps lots of memories from my childhood.
What global or local issue do you care about the most and why?
The issue that I care about the most is people who lost their path and find it hard to survive.
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
In ten years, I hope to be working towards helping people who are in need and need support to get back up.