Government Encourages Youth to Learn Foreign Languages at Private Language Centers
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently met with the youth at the Kuksaroy residence to discuss the importance of mastering foreign languages for global success, especially in the business sector. Recognizing the value of language skills, the government announced several initiatives to support the youth in their language learning endeavors.
One of the key initiatives is the provision of interest-free loans of up to 120 million UZS for young people who open language centers to promote foreign language learning. Additionally, the government will cover tuition fees for youth studying foreign languages through a “2+6” model, where students pay for the first two months, and the government covers the remaining six months.
This year, the government aims to reach $1 billion in IT exports, with a focus on increasing youth participation. The “One Million Programmers” initiative seeks to engage an additional 300,000 young people in the IT sector. Uzbek language courses on platforms like Coursera will be expanded, including those focused on artificial intelligence.
The government also announced the expansion of the “Muhammad Khwarezmi Successors” project in Karakalpakstan, reaching 1,000 more youth. A partnership with the UAE will introduce the “One Million Artificial Intelligence Users” project, while the Ministry of Digital Technologies will begin implementation.
In efforts to support female participation in the IT sector, plans are underway to double the number of girls trained in IT by 2024. The “Bright Talent” initiative will provide support to economically disadvantaged but talented youth to study abroad with full tuition coverage.
Moreover, government programs will offer interest-free education loans and grants to students from low-income families. Each year, 1,000 talented students will be sent to the top 100 universities globally with their living and educational costs covered.
A new initiative will provide 10-year interest-free loans of up to 800 million UZS for housing to young scientists under 35. The number of grants for young scholars pursuing degrees at prestigious universities will also be increased.
The government highlighted a national strategy to strengthen education’s role in reducing poverty, emphasizing teaching discipline and ethical internet use to prevent misinformation and harmful ideologies. Youth development programs will be integrated into the legislative process, with youth representatives included in policy discussions at local councils.
President Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of involving young people in shaping the nation’s future for its continued development. By investing in the youth and promoting language skills, Uzbekistan aims to prepare a generation of globally competitive individuals.
