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On July 21, the Forum on the Development of IT and Digital Education was held in Uzbekistan with the aim of increasing digital literacy, developing IT education, and strengthening preparation for future professions. During the forum, key issues in the field were discussed, and new research findings were presented.

The project “Improving the Landscape of IT and Digital Education in Uzbekistan: Research Phase” is part of a broader initiative aimed at developing Uzbekistan's digital education and IT workforce. This phase involves extensive research to lay a strong foundation for subsequent phases, which will include specialized educational programs, teacher capacity-building initiatives, and career support mechanisms for students.

By identifying gaps in digital literacy and aligning educational resources with labor market needs, this multi-phase initiative aims to build a qualified and inclusive digital workforce.

Implemented in partnership with the IT Education Association and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the project focuses on improving digital literacy and ensuring access to quality IT education as Uzbekistan transitions toward a digital economy.

Launched in September 2024, the project began with an analysis of gaps in IT literacy and skills among the population, aiming to assess the level of digital literacy across different demographic groups and to identify disparities based on region, gender, age, and socio-economic status.

The key objectives of the project are: -To improve IT and digital literacy in Uzbekistan. -To assess the level of IT skills among vulnerable groups such as youth, rural populations, women, persons with disabilities, and members of low-income families.

The first phase focused on: 1.Assessing the current level of IT literacy among the population. 2.Identifying the needs of employers in the IT sector. 3.Forecasting promising digital and IT professions for the next 10 years to help shape educational planning and workforce development strategies.

During the research phase, more than 4,000 people from various regions of Uzbekistan participated in online and offline surveys conducted between March and June 2025.

At the forum, results from the project were summarized and presented to the public, including the findings from surveys conducted from February to May 2025 on digital literacy in Uzbekistan: -One of the most notable aspects of the research is that the gender distribution of participants was nearly equal (50.7% women and 49.3% men), indicating growing gender equality among those interested in the IT field in Uzbekistan.

Participants rated their IT skills as follows: 17% — Excellent 44% — Good 32% — Satisfactory

When asked about their use of video conferencing tools for remote work or study, approximately 57% reported using them almost every week.

Additionally, 78% of participants said they used e-government systems monthly.

Key findings include: -96% of respondents expressed interest in the IT field. -97% stated that digital skills have a direct positive impact on job performance.

Regarding online shopping habits: 52.4% make online purchases via marketplaces or social media 2–3 times a month while 25% shop online 2–3 times a year and 22% never shop online.

At the forum, the "Atlas of Future Professions" featuring Top 45 IT professions was presented. This guide, developed by experts and based on labor market analysis, is designed to provide practical orientation for youth, parents, educational institutions, and workforce development stakeholders.

The forum also featured the launch of DigiSurvey.uz, an online platform that centralizes research results, offers free IT learning resources, and provides career guidance.

Throughout the event, various activities were held including: Panel discussions with experts from IT Park, the Center for the Development of Digital Education, AlmaU, and other organizations; Sessions on educational innovations and startups; Networking opportunities, masterclasses, and interactive games.

Partner organizations in this project include: Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, IT Park Uzbekistan, Center for the Development of Digital Education, Uzbekistan Association of Persons with Disabilities, IT Ladies community, Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan.

The insights gained from our comprehensive research into Uzbekistan's IT skills landscape are not just academic exercises; they are the blueprints for action. We are excited to share the vision for a tangible outcome: the development of a dynamic National Digital Platform. This platform is conceived as a central hub designed to bridge the often-perceived gap between education, skills development, and access to quality employment opportunities within the burgeoning tech sector.

Addressing Key Challenges: Currently, navigating the path to an IT career in Uzbekistan can present challenges. Information about required skills might be fragmented, finding relevant and high-quality training resources can be difficult, and matching individual competencies with the right job opportunities often relies on chance. Our digital platform aims to directly address these hurdles by creating a more transparent, accessible, and efficient ecosystem.

Core Features and Benefits: Skills Mapping & Visualization: The platform will allow individuals to assess and showcase their verified ICT skills. On a broader scale, it will provide anonymized, aggregated data visualizing the skills landscape across regions and nationally. This helps identify collective strengths, pinpoint critical skill shortages, and inform strategic educational planning.

Personalized Learning Pathways: More than just a skills repository, the platform will act as an intelligent guide. Based on an individual's current skill set and career aspirations, it will recommend personalized learning pathways – connecting users to relevant online courses, certification programs, bootcamps, and potentially even mentorship opportunities needed to bridge their specific skill gaps.

Targeted Job Matching: Forget sifting through irrelevant listings. Employers will be able to post opportunities targeting specific, verified skill sets. Job seekers, in turn, will receive curated job alerts that genuinely match their qualifications. This data-driven approach streamlines the hiring process for both sides, facilitating better, faster connections.

This platform is envisioned as a resource for a wide range of users: students planning their future, professionals seeking to upskill or change careers, job seekers looking for relevant opportunities, employers searching for qualified talent, and educational institutions aiming to align their offerings with market demands.

Uzbekistan's journey towards becoming a regional digital hub hinges not just on educating its population, but on ensuring that education directly addresses the real, evolving needs of the industries that will drive this transformation. Recognizing this critical link, we have embarked on a comprehensive study aimed squarely at understanding the wants and needs of employers within the nation's burgeoning IT sector. This isn't just about assumptions; it's about gathering concrete data directly from the source.

Why This Study is Crucial: Simply put, a disconnect between educational outcomes and employer requirements leads to skill mismatches, hindering both individual career progression and overall industry growth. By engaging directly with businesses – from dynamic startups to established enterprises across various industries – we aim to bridge this gap. We seek to understand not just the technical skills currently in demand, but also the softer skills, anticipated future trends, and desired competency levels that define a valuable employee in today's competitive market.

What We Aim to Discover: Our research delves into specifics. We're exploring:

• In-Demand Technical Skills: Which programming languages, frameworks, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.), database technologies, cybersecurity tools, and DevOps practices are most sought after?
• Emerging Technology Needs: What is the level of demand for skills in AI/ML, Data Science, Big Data, IoT, Blockchain, or other cutting-edge fields?
• Essential Soft Skills: Beyond technical prowess, what importance do employers place on communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and critical thinking?
• Experience and Qualifications: What are the typical expectations regarding years of experience, certifications, and educational backgrounds for various IT roles?
• Future Projections: How do employers anticipate their skill needs changing over the next 1-3 years?

Impact on the Future: The insights gathered from this comprehensive study will be invaluable. They will serve as a cornerstone for refining existing educational curricula, developing targeted upskilling and reskilling programs, and guiding individuals towards career paths with genuine demand. By ensuring that Uzbekistan's talent pool possesses the skills employers genuinely need, we can foster a more dynamic, efficient, and ultimately successful IT ecosystem for the nation. We look forward to sharing key findings as our research progresses.

The digital future is here, and equipping Uzbekistan's citizens and workforce with robust IT and digital skills is paramount for national progress and competitiveness. We are excited to announce the launch of a crucial Research Phase aimed at deeply understanding the current state and future needs of IT and digital education in the country.

This research is the foundational step towards building effective solutions that bridge the gap between education and employment opportunities in the tech sector. Our initial phase focuses on three key activities:

• Evaluating Current IT Literacy: We will conduct comprehensive surveys across various target audiences (including students, professionals, and job seekers) to accurately assess the current levels of IT literacy and digital competency. Understanding this baseline is essential for designing targeted educational interventions.
• Understanding Employer Needs: Parallel to assessing individual skills, we are undertaking a detailed study among employers across different industries. The goal is to clearly identify the specific IT skills, digital competencies, and qualifications they demand now and anticipate needing in the near future. This ensures that educational efforts align directly with market requirements.
• Vision: A Digital Platform for Skills and Jobs: The insights gathered from both surveys will directly inform the development of a future-focused digital platform. This platform aims to: Visualize the ICT skill levels across the nation. Clearly identify skill gaps and "bridge" individuals to relevant training and resources. Provide access to quality job opportunities matched to verified skill sets.

This research phase is vital for creating data-driven strategies. We believe that by understanding the needs of both individuals and employers, we can build a more effective ecosystem for IT education and employment in Uzbekistan. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities!