Perspectives of the New Uzbekistan: Economy, Education, Management, and Business

On May 24, 2024, a conference organized by ISFT Institute was held in Samarkand, dedicated to the perspectives of the new Uzbekistan in the fields of economy, education, management, and business.

The official part of the event began with welcoming speeches. Ibrahim Gulomov, the rector of ISFT Institute, welcomed all attendees and highlighted the importance of such events for knowledge exchange and experience sharing. Following him, speeches were delivered by Artikov Furkat from AO "Kafil Sugurta" and Tong Kian Zhou, the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage "Silk Road." Professor Mehmet Asutay from the UK and Bahityor Islamov also addressed the audience with welcoming remarks.

The main presentations were delivered by prominent scholars and experts. Professor Mehmet Asutay from the UK discussed the social and economic foundations of Islamic morality in Islamic finance.

Mehmet Asutay is the recipient of the Islamic Development Bank Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Economics in 2024. He is a professor of economics and finance of the Middle East and the Islamic world. Professor Asutay teaches and supervises postgraduate and doctoral research on various aspects of Islamic moral/political economy, Islamic banking and finance, Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Muslim economics, and political economy and economic development. He is the Chief Editor of the leading academic journal Review of Islamic Economics and the Deputy Editor of the American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences. His research interests include Islamic moral economics and finance, Turkish and Middle Eastern political economy, Kurds and the wider Muslim world, economic development, and political economy and public choice.

Dr. Kazbekova Meruert from Kazakhstan highlighted the topic of leadership in the new era, emphasizing the importance of change for Uzbekistan. Xenia Yuzhaninova-Karadenizli, the Executive Director of the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, shared her experience in business transformation.

After discussions and a group photo, participants were invited to lunch. After the break, the discussion continued in the business perspectives sector. Dr. Bahtiyor Islamov emphasized the role of foreign investment in the sustainable economic development of the new Uzbekistan, while Dr. Murtaza Niyazi discussed the impact of political ties on the efficiency of the corporate market. Olga Ulyanova from Asakabank shared insights on finding common ground with international experts and investors, and Dr. Julian Pinterest raised questions about future business challenges.

In the second half of the day, participants focused on the financial perspectives sector. Dr. Julian Pinterest, an experienced researcher with proven expertise in the banking industry, presented his insights. Professor Aliya Avdukich from the University of Dundee discussed the combination of Islamic moral economics with digital economic instruments, while Professor Koutronas Evangelos from the Tashkent International Westminster University analyzed the economic and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Sudesh Prabhakara from the University Putra in Malaysia presented the perspectives of the new Uzbekistan's development as a leading center of education. Closing speeches and discussions concluded the first day of the conference.