Termiz State University maintains a comprehensive entrepreneurship support framework designed to facilitate the establishment and long-term development of financially viable and socially responsible businesses within Surkhandarya Region. Through its Youth Centre, Start-up Centre, Career Centre and the Kelajakka qadam (Step into the Future) entrepreneurship programme, the university provides aspiring entrepreneurs with educational resources, professional guidance, practical training and access to institutional facilities. These initiatives strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities, promote self-employment and create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, particularly among young people and individuals seeking to overcome socioeconomic barriers.
An important component of this framework is the university's Youth Centre, established through a United Nations Development Programme initiative, which provides a dedicated environment for innovation, entrepreneurship education and community engagement. The centre accommodates students, young innovators and members of the surrounding community interested in developing business ideas and practical skills. Its infrastructure includes computer laboratories, multimedia rooms, educational spaces and a legal clinic. Entrepreneurship-oriented training, professional consultations and access to educational resources help participants strengthen their business knowledge, assess the feasibility of proposed ventures and navigate the practical requirements of establishing independent economic activities.
The university further expanded its entrepreneurship support infrastructure in 2025 through the Kelajakka qadam programme, implemented under Presidential Resolution No. PQ-61 of 14 February 2025, as amended. Operating in cooperation with the National Bank of Uzbekistan, the programme connects aspiring entrepreneurs with professional consultations, business development guidance and preferential financing opportunities. Importantly, the centre serves students and aspiring graduate entrepreneurs across higher education institutions in Termez, extending the university's entrepreneurial support beyond its own student population and strengthening regional cooperation.
During 2025, the university organised practical entrepreneurship seminars and advisory activities through collaboration with the National Bank, the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Yoshlar – kelajagimiz Foundation and other relevant organisations. These activities addressed business establishment procedures, preparation of entrepreneurial projects, available grant and credit mechanisms, government incentives and the practical requirements of operating a small enterprise. The 5 December 2025 entrepreneurship meeting provided direct guidance on business development and available institutional support mechanisms, helping participants translate entrepreneurial ideas into practical commercial initiatives.
The programme generated measurable results during its first year of implementation. By 1 August 2025, 25 university students had received a combined UZS 666 million in entrepreneurship financing, while four had registered legal entities and attained employer status. Programme participation continued to expand throughout the year. By 12 December 2025, 196 students had received a combined UZS 3.6 billion to support the establishment and development of entrepreneurial activities. These resources facilitated the transition from business ideas towards self-employment and enterprise creation, strengthening the university's contribution to local economic participation and youth entrepreneurship.
Alongside entrepreneurship education and business development assistance, Termiz State University promotes innovation addressing environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Its sustainability-oriented start-up activities encompass renewable energy, efficient water management, waste valorisation, sustainable agriculture and environmentally responsible materials. During 2025, the university's innovation portfolio included 12 newly established sustainability-related start-ups, bringing the documented total to 15. These initiatives include biochar production from organic waste, solar-powered water-saving irrigation systems, the restoration of saline agricultural land through digital monitoring and environmentally oriented technological solutions.
Such innovations demonstrate the potential of university-supported entrepreneurship to address practical needs within the surrounding community. Water-efficient agricultural technologies can contribute to more resilient farming practices in water-scarce areas, while resource recovery and environmentally responsible production offer opportunities for new economic activities. The integration of research, applied innovation and entrepreneurship education therefore supports business models that combine potential commercial viability with social and environmental benefits.
The university's participation in TalabaExpo–2025 further strengthened interaction between aspiring entrepreneurs, public institutions and the regional business sector. The October 2025 event brought together more than 100 employers and presented 4,449 employment opportunities, alongside business and start-up project presentations, training activities and consultations on preferential financing. This regional platform expanded opportunities for professional networking, entrepreneurship awareness and collaboration between higher education and the local economy.
Termiz State University's approach to community entrepreneurship extends beyond the provision of financial resources. By integrating practical education, specialised facilities, professional consultations, institutional partnerships and opportunities for business development, the university establishes an enabling environment in which entrepreneurial initiatives can progress towards sustainable economic activity. The framework promotes individual economic independence, supports the creation of employment opportunities and strengthens the capacity of young entrepreneurs to participate productively in regional development.
Through these sustained initiatives, Termiz State University contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty by advancing entrepreneurship as a mechanism for livelihood diversification, economic empowerment and inclusive growth. Its support for locally relevant, financially viable and socially beneficial enterprises reinforces the university's role as a regional institution connecting education, innovation and community development.
