Institutional Participation in Poverty Reduction and Socioeconomic Development Policies
Termez State University participates in government-led initiatives and inter-institutional programmes addressing poverty, unemployment, educational disadvantage and limited economic opportunities. Working with local authorities, regional development organisations, national institutions and international development partners, the university contributes academic expertise, educational resources and programme implementation capacity to initiatives designed to improve livelihoods and strengthen social inclusion.
The university's engagement addresses several dimensions of poverty, particularly access to higher education, vocational skills, employment, entrepreneurship and financial independence.
Local Level — Community Employment and Educational Inclusion
At the local level, Termez State University cooperates with district administrations, neighbourhood organisations and government departments responsible for poverty reduction and employment.
On 24 June 2025, the university's Faculty of Natural Sciences organised the Future Career outreach and employment programme for graduating pupils from 43 general education schools in Bandixon District. The initiative was implemented in cooperation with the district administration, education authorities and the local department responsible for poverty reduction and employment.
The programme introduced prospective students to higher education opportunities, professional qualifications and career pathways. By connecting university resources with local employment and education services, the initiative supported coordinated efforts to improve opportunities for young people.
Further cooperation took place on 5 July 2025, when Termez State University, Sherobod District Administration and the district's Poverty Reduction and Employment Assistance Department jointly organised a career day and employment fair at the district Vocational Skills Centre.
These activities provided practical opportunities to connect young people with educational institutions, vocational guidance and employment-related services.
The university also participated in the national From Poverty to Prosperity initiative through local outreach to school-leavers from socially disadvantaged households. In March 2025, cooperation with the Surkhandarya Regional Prosecutor's Office enabled prospective students from families registered in the social protection system to visit university facilities and receive information about educational opportunities.
Such activities strengthen the connection between local development priorities and university-led educational interventions, contributing to the implementation of programmes intended to address socioeconomic disadvantage.
Regional Level — Entrepreneurship and Employment Policy Implementation
The university's regional involvement is particularly evident in the development and operation of the Kelajakka qadam (Step into the Future) Centre, established in March 2025 in cooperation with the National Bank of Uzbekistan and higher education institutions across Surkhandarya Region.
The centre serves as a regional platform for supporting graduate employment, youth entrepreneurship and business development. Its operational arrangements extend beyond Termez State University's own students, providing opportunities for students and graduates of other higher education institutions to access preferential financing, entrepreneurial guidance and business-development assistance.
The programme connects educational institutions with financial organisations and relevant regional partners, helping translate employment and entrepreneurship priorities into practical support mechanisms.
By 12 December 2025, 196 university students had received a combined UZS 3.6 billion in entrepreneurship financing facilitated through the programme and its banking partnership.
Earlier implementation records indicate that by 1 August 2025, 25 students had received UZS 666 million, while four beneficiaries had registered legal entities and acquired employer status.
These outcomes demonstrate the university's contribution to regional mechanisms promoting self-employment and business creation. Its involvement extends to coordinating educational support, facilitating access to financial institutions and helping prospective entrepreneurs develop viable business initiatives.
The university's regional engagement is reinforced by its cooperation with the Surkhandarya administration, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, employment services and other organisations involved in economic development.
National Level — Implementation of Government Poverty Reduction and Employment Programmes
At the national level, Termez State University participates in the implementation of government programmes designed to strengthen employment opportunities, reduce financial barriers and expand participation in economic activities.
The university's Kelajakka qadam Centre operates under Presidential Resolution No. PQ-61 of 14 February 2025, which established additional measures to support the employment of higher education graduates.
Through this programme, the university works with the National Bank and other participating institutions to provide career guidance, entrepreneurship consultations and access to preferential credit instruments.
In October 2025, the university also supported the TalabaExpo–2025 regional employment and entrepreneurship initiative. The programme was organised with the involvement of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, the National Bank, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Surkhandarya regional administration.
The exhibition brought together more than 100 employers and advertised 4,449 employment opportunities, alongside entrepreneurship consultations, business-project presentations and guidance concerning preferential financing.
The university also implements national social protection measures supporting students from low-income households, including targeted admission opportunities and tuition assistance for eligible disadvantaged groups.
These activities demonstrate institutional participation in the practical delivery of national policies addressing education, employment and economic vulnerability.
Global Level — International Cooperation for Inclusive Development
Termez State University's international development engagement includes cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and initiatives supported by the Government of Japan.
In October 2024, the university hosted the establishment of the Termez Youth Hub, developed by UNDP to strengthen opportunities for young people in Surkhandarya Region.
The initiative formed part of an international development programme operating through 2025, with objectives that included youth empowerment, economic resilience, social inclusion and improved opportunities for vulnerable communities.
The Youth Hub provides an institutional platform for vocational education, entrepreneurship development, digital skills training, language learning and support services. These activities help young people acquire competencies relevant to employment and income generation.
The wider UNDP initiative also addresses local institutional capacity and community resilience, linking youth development with inclusive approaches to local governance.
Through its participation in this international partnership, Termez State University contributes educational facilities, institutional cooperation and academic resources to development activities aligned with SDG 1.
The partnership demonstrates engagement with an internationally supported poverty-reduction and community development framework, while the university's direct role in developing global-level policy remains to be separately documented.
