"University's Role in Shaping Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Policies: Bridging Academia and Government"
On September 22, 2023, a national scientific and theoretical conference was convened at Alisher Navo’i Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, with a dedicated focus on issues related to the transition of the Uzbek alphabet to the Latin script. The conference was organized in collaboration with several key stakeholders, including the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature, and Folklore, Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi, and the Public Council for the Development of the Uzbek Language.
The participants in this conference comprised scholars and experts from the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature, and Folklore, professors and educators from Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, researchers, doctoral students, members of the academic community, scholars from various regions, writers, and representatives from government ministries and agencies.
It's worth highlighting that President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, underscored the paramount importance of completing the transition to the Latin script during his engagement with the electorate in Tashkent city. He emphasized the urgency of expediting the work related to this transition, all the while adhering to principles of public engagement and consultation.
To achieve this goal, a comprehensive proposal was meticulously crafted by scholars from the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature, and Folklore, as well as Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature. This proposal was underpinned by accumulated experience, insights from scholars, intellectuals, and the broader public, as well as input from specialists in the field. The central aim of this proposal was to advance the transition to the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script.
The proposals that emerged from the scientific and theoretical conference underwent in-depth discussions.
Distinguished figures at the conference, including Nodir Kholbutayev, the head of the State Language Development Department of the Cabinet of Ministers, Bahrom Abduhalimov, Vice President of the Academy of Sciences, Nizomiddin Mahmudov, Director of the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature, and Folklore, and Shuhrat Sirojiddinov, Rector of Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, underscored the profound significance of the conference's theme. They emphasized the need to address the existing challenges and shortcomings in our alphabet system, acknowledging the invaluable input provided by the public over an extended period and the imperative to address these concerns. A presentation was delivered during the conference on the project for the transition to the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script. Yorqinjon Odilov, the head of the department at the Institute of Uzbek Language, Literature, and Folklore, provided insights into the proposed changes to the new Uzbek alphabet.
Following this presentation, participants underscored the alphabet's significance, the tasks required for its successful completion, and the imperative for its practical implementation in scientific and legal domains.
The discussions further centered on addressing the deficiencies in the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script and presented various ideas and suggestions for its refinement and enhancement. All of the proposals and recommendations put forth during the conference were thoughtfully considered, culminating in the approval of a set of recommendations for the completion of the Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script.
