The Uzum ecosystem continues its series of open lectures, Uzum Team, where the country’s top experts share insights on IT sector growth, team management, and digital product development. Kursiv Uzbekistan summarises the key points from Shavkat Karimov’s speech, head of Uzbekistan’s IT community.
Karimov explained how the community connects thousands of professionals, initiates educational programmes, supports women in tech, and tackles key challenges.
Uzbekistan’s IT Community: From concept to leading platform
Uzbekistan’s IT community has grown into the country’s largest platform for technology professionals and enthusiasts. It brings together developers, entrepreneurs, students, and IT companies, with membership exceeding 21,000 and rising.
Recently, the team achieved a significant milestone: women now represent over half of its members—a rare accomplishment in the regional IT sector.
The community’s impact extends beyond online interactions. In autumn 2024, it launched IT Roadshow, a large-scale initiative that delivers educational events to cities across Uzbekistan. The team has already visited nine locations, with ten more scheduled.
Expanding access to tech education remains a priority. The IT Girls programme has provided free IT training to 200 young women, while IT Recruiting courses have helped 300 participants start their careers. The IT Talks and IT Teens podcasts offer an additional platform for professionals to share experiences and discuss industry trends.
Challenges facing Uzbekistan’s IT Sector
Despite its rapid expansion, Uzbekistan’s IT industry still faces obstacles. A major challenge is the country’s low visibility on the global stage. Many international companies do not yet recognise Uzbekistan as an IT hub, making it difficult to attract major players.
«We reached out to Microsoft and Amazon about opening offices here, but they haven’t responded. The issue is simple: they don’t know us. Uzbekistan is not yet on their radar,» says Shavkat Karimov.
Another challenge is the shortage of highly skilled professionals. Large corporations seek specialists with extensive experience, but Uzbekistan’s IT market is still developing that talent pool. However, Karimov is optimistic, believing that within five years, the current generation of junior developers will acquire the skills needed to close the gap.
Why IT specialists move abroad
Many Uzbek IT specialists leave for higher salaries and better career prospects abroad. However, Karimov does not see this as a negative trend.
«Let them go, learn, and gain international experience. What matters is that some will return—and they do. They bring back valuable knowledge and networks. We already see professionals who spent 20–25 years abroad now eager to contribute here,» he says.
Rather than a loss, he sees this as an opportunity. Those who return with global expertise strengthen Uzbekistan’s IT sector and drive innovation forward.
Debunking IT career myths
Many newcomers assume that an IT degree guarantees an immediate salary of UZS 50 mln per month. However, reality is different. Entry-level positions pay less, as companies invest in training young professionals for long-term growth.
Karimov points out that Uzbekistan’s major IT firms are actively developing educational programmes. Uzum, Beeline, Yandex, and Huawei have launched academies to prepare specialists for industry demands. Many university graduates require additional practical training before they become job-ready, but this also presents opportunities for career growth.
Those committed to learning and career development can achieve impressive salaries within two to three years. Skilled IT professionals earn UZS 65 mln per month, while the top experts in Uzbekistan make up to UZS 325 mln.
Future of Uzbekistan’s IT Community
The IT community is working towards deeper integration into the global tech market. It is establishing connections with international companies, startups, and investors while expanding its reach into esports tournaments, international programming competitions, and collaborations with universities and IT hubs worldwide.
Over the next few years, the team aims to grow its membership, expand its regional ambassador network, and attract more international partners.
A simple yet effective strategy for increasing global recognition is encouraging IT professionals to use the #Uzbekistan hashtag on LinkedIn—following India’s successful model with #India.
«If it worked for India, why not try it ourselves?» says Karimov.
Uzbekistan’s IT community is evolving from a professional network into a movement that is reshaping the industry and creating opportunities. Growth, innovation, and global collaboration remain central to its mission.
As a strategic partner, Uzum continuously supports the IT community by providing resources and opportunities for organising events. Through IT Roadshow, Uzum experts share their knowledge and experience, helping to drive progress in Uzbekistan’s IT sector.
Every week, Uzum hosts free open lectures featuring industry leaders. Interested participants can register at https://uzum.team.
