A specialist at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation has been named a "Model Talented Young Employee."
Uzbekistan
As part of the Government Quality Award program, Akbarkhon Sobirkhonov, Head of the Office for Supporting Youth Innovative Initiatives at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, was awarded the title of "Model Talented Young Employee." This recognition reflects not only his impressive quantitative performance but also his systematic, innovative approach to supporting youth initiatives and developing the engineering and startup movements in the country.
How the evaluation was conducted
The evaluation was conducted based on six key criteria: achievements and strategic vision, innovative thinking, learning and innovation, entrepreneurial mindset, and positive impact and social engagement. For each area, the employee's specific performance was analyzed, as well as their contribution to the long-term development of the industry, ability to overcome challenges, and role model for colleagues.
Particular attention was paid to the measurable impact of initiatives, their alignment with national priorities and the "Uzbekistan 2030" Strategy, as well as the employee's commitment to continuous learning and the practical application of best international practices.
Key Indicators and Achievements
Support for Startups and Entrepreneurship. In 2025, under his leadership, support was provided to 2,000 startup projects, 83 of which were officially registered and began operations—a 3.5-fold increase compared to the 24 projects launched in 2024.
Guinness World Record in STEM. In August 2025, he led the organization of a large-scale robotics event, during which 2,000 young engineers assembled 1,946 robots in just 25 minutes. This achievement was officially recognized by Guinness World Records and is a clear indication of the growing interest of young people in the sciences.
Development of the INNO Technopark. An employee contributed to the creation of the INNO educational and production technopark in 2021 and personally presented the activities of the Robotics and Mechatronics laboratory during the visit of the Head of State. Between 2023 and 2025, the technopark granted resident status to 43 businesses, enabling the production of 36 types of innovative products and the launch of 9 types of services.
The "Youth Academy Leaders" system. Implemented in 2023 at the initiative of an employee, the system is now effectively operating in 120 higher education institutions in 14 regions of the country; a series of specialized forums have been held at more than 120 universities.
Recognition and Awards The employee has received six state and departmental awards, including the "Kelajak Bunyodkori" medal (2018), the "For Exemplary Service" badges of the 2nd and 3rd degrees (2019), commemorative badges for the 30th anniversary of Independence (2021) and the Constitution (2022), and the "Oliy ta'lim a'lochisi" badge (2025).
International and volunteer projects. The employee participated in organizing the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, coordinated the work of 650 volunteers at the conference, and participated in more than 160 national volunteer events. In 2025, he plans to host the "Engineers of the Future" International Festival, aimed at developing innovative thinking and strengthening international cooperation.
Recommendations for improvement
The expert commission identified areas for further development. It is recommended to assign clear KPIs to initiatives that clearly demonstrate the measurable impact and value of the results achieved, as well as their alignment with the organization's strategic goals and the "Uzbekistan 2030" Strategy.
It is advisable to develop structured medium- and long-term plans aligned with the agency's strategic goals, using foresight tools to support planning and decision-making, and to implement a systematic approach to identifying risks and challenges, ensuring their consistent assessment and effective mitigation of their potential impact.
The evaluation was conducted based on six key criteria: achievements and strategic vision, innovative thinking, learning and innovation, entrepreneurial mindset, and positive impact and social engagement. For each area, the employee's specific performance was analyzed, as well as their contribution to the long-term development of the industry, ability to overcome challenges, and role model for colleagues.
Particular attention was paid to the measurable impact of initiatives, their alignment with national priorities and the "Uzbekistan 2030" Strategy, as well as the employee's commitment to continuous learning and the practical application of best international practices.
Key Indicators and Achievements
Support for Startups and Entrepreneurship. In 2025, under his leadership, support was provided to 2,000 startup projects, 83 of which were officially registered and began operations—a 3.5-fold increase compared to the 24 projects launched in 2024.
Guinness World Record in STEM. In August 2025, he led the organization of a large-scale robotics event, during which 2,000 young engineers assembled 1,946 robots in just 25 minutes. This achievement was officially recognized by Guinness World Records and is a clear indication of the growing interest of young people in the sciences.
Development of the INNO Technopark. An employee contributed to the creation of the INNO educational and production technopark in 2021 and personally presented the activities of the Robotics and Mechatronics laboratory during the visit of the Head of State. Between 2023 and 2025, the technopark granted resident status to 43 businesses, enabling the production of 36 types of innovative products and the launch of 9 types of services.
The "Youth Academy Leaders" system. Implemented in 2023 at the initiative of an employee, the system is now effectively operating in 120 higher education institutions in 14 regions of the country; a series of specialized forums have been held at more than 120 universities.
Recognition and Awards The employee has received six state and departmental awards, including the "Kelajak Bunyodkori" medal (2018), the "For Exemplary Service" badges of the 2nd and 3rd degrees (2019), commemorative badges for the 30th anniversary of Independence (2021) and the Constitution (2022), and the "Oliy ta'lim a'lochisi" badge (2025).
International and volunteer projects. The employee participated in organizing the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, coordinated the work of 650 volunteers at the conference, and participated in more than 160 national volunteer events. In 2025, he plans to host the "Engineers of the Future" International Festival, aimed at developing innovative thinking and strengthening international cooperation.
Recommendations for improvement
The expert commission identified areas for further development. It is recommended to assign clear KPIs to initiatives that clearly demonstrate the measurable impact and value of the results achieved, as well as their alignment with the organization's strategic goals and the "Uzbekistan 2030" Strategy.
It is advisable to develop structured medium- and long-term plans aligned with the agency's strategic goals, using foresight tools to support planning and decision-making, and to implement a systematic approach to identifying risks and challenges, ensuring their consistent assessment and effective mitigation of their potential impact.
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