NEW YEAR GREETING
Assalamu alaykum dear professors, staff, students, and graduate students. I sincerely congratulate all of you on the arrival of the new year 2025! As we come to the end of 2024, let us look back at the achievements of the Fergana Regional Branch of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture.
Over the past twelve months, the branch has not only strengthened its position as a leading institution of arts and culture in Uzbekistan but also expanded its opportunities through global partnerships, innovations, and cultural enrichment.
The branch has 60 professors, including 3 professors and 24 associate professors, working actively. The scientific potential of the branch stands at 47.5%. These numbers reflect the academic and scientific potential of the branch. To further strengthen this foundation, 15 young professors are engaged in scientific research and involved in postgraduate education.
The branch’s publishing initiatives have also developed. Four scientific journals have been established by the branch: “Oriental Art and Culture” scientific-methodological journal, “World of Philology” scientific journal, “Scientific Research in Pedagogy” scientific journal, and “Scientific Research in Music Art” scientific journal. These journals serve as a platform for sharing new research among scholars from Uzbekistan and abroad. All of the journals are indexed in Google Scholar. It is worth noting that “Oriental Art and Culture” has an impact factor of 4.311, and “World of Philology” has an impact factor of 3.5. Two of these journals are included in the list of recommended scientific publications by the Higher Attestation Commission for publishing dissertations of candidates for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science.
In 2024, the branch achieved significant success in its scientific-research infrastructure. Creative scientific laboratories were established with the support of the Innovation Development Fund and equipped with the funds of the commercialization fund. Among them are the “Puppet Making” creative scientific laboratory in the Department of Theater Arts, the “Music Notation” creative scientific laboratory in the Department of Folk Instrument Performance and Music Theory, the “Library Activity Automation” scientific laboratory in the Department of Social Sciences, Library Science, and Sports, and the “Stage Costume Design” creative scientific laboratory in the Department of Stage Speech and Art Studies.
The branch’s scientific centers are leading in the research of various cultural and scientific-artistic fields. These include the “Puppet Theater Art Research Center” under the Department of Theater Arts, the “Fergana-Tashkent Folk Instrument Performance School Research Center” under the Department of Folk Instrument Performance and Music Theory, the “Research Center for Advanced Library Science” under the Department of Social Sciences, Library Science, and Sports, the “Fergana Dance School Research Center” under the Department of Stage Speech and Art Studies, and the “Fergana Valley Folklore Art Research Center” under the Department of Folk Art.
Additionally, creative scientific schools have been established under the leadership of professors such as Professor Karim Yuldashev (Department of Theater Arts) with the “Directing” creative scientific school, Professor Shamsiddin Usmonov (Department of Theater Arts) with the “Stage Movement and Combat” creative scientific school, Associate Professor Ahmadjon Abdurahimov (Department of Folk Art) with the “Fergana-Tashkent Maqam Paths” creative scientific school, Professor Mirmuxsin G‘apurov (Department of Folk Instrument Performance and Music Theory) with the “Polyphonic Music Performance” creative scientific school, and Associate Professor Muxsim Muminov (Department of Folk Art) with the “National Song Singing” creative scientific school.
The branch has established collaboration with 65 higher education institutions in 13 countries including Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Spain, and Italy, and achieved notable success in reflecting its presence on the global stage. These collaborations have facilitated academic exchange programs, internships, and the implementation of joint scientific projects. Faculty members of the branch have contributed to the educational process at institutions such as Khujand State University (Tajikistan), Ataturk University (Turkey), and Abai National Pedagogical University (Kazakhstan). Currently, the branch’s faculty members have participated in short-term internships at prestigious institutions abroad, gaining international experience.
The achievements of the branch’s students in 2024 reflect its commitment to nurturing talent. Our students have been awarded the President of Uzbekistan State Scholarship, the Islam Karimov State Scholarship, and the Navoi State Scholarship. These results are a testament to the academic and creative potential of the branch’s students.
The branch has organized a total of 6 international competitions, including the “National Folklore Art” international folk performance competition, “National Melodies” international traditional singing competition, “Dance Bouquet” international national dance competition, “Navruz Songs” international national folk music competition, “Magic of Movements” international stage plasticity competition, and “Word Art” international speech arts competition. These events serve to promote Uzbekistan’s arts and culture and foster international cultural exchange.
To highlight the creative activities of students, the branch established the “Art World” spiritual-educational newspaper in 2024. The branch has also established an incubation and acceleration center aimed at supporting startup projects and creating a startup ecosystem. The center is fully equipped with specialized equipment funded by the Innovation Development Fund. In order to expand the activities of startups in the early stages, attract investments, and contribute to the local economy, the “Art Start” acceleration program has been launched. This initiative is part of the branch’s broader efforts to support the growing startup ecosystem and contribute to the local economy.
The branch has established the “Art Press” publishing house, which specializes in publishing educational literature. The publishing house is fully equipped with specialized equipment funded by the Innovation Development Fund. To date, the publishing house has completed contracts worth 103 million soums, publishing a total of 118 works.
In 2024, the Department of Theater Arts organized an international scientific-practical conference on “Contemporary Theater Art: Tradition and New Trends”, and the Department of Folk Art held an international scientific-practical conference on “Development Prospects of Folk Art”. In addition, every year, the Fergana Regional Branch of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture, the Kokand State Pedagogical Institute, and the Fergana State University jointly organize the “Development Prospects of Folk Art” students’ scientific-practical conference.
As we step into 2025, we set grand goals to further develop the fields of arts, culture, and education. Plans are underway to expand educational programs, host more international events, and strengthen partnerships with foreign higher education institutions. The branch is committed to nurturing talent, supporting innovation, and preserving Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage.
Dear colleagues, once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the arrival of the new year. May the year 2025 be successful and prosperous for all of us.
GAPUROV MIRMUXSIN KAMOLDINOVICH
Director of the Fergana Regional Branch of the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture