The owner of the best innovative thinking was named during the finals of the competition organized by the British Council in Uzbekistan.
The competition for “The best innovative thinking” is held annually since 2006 and has already acquired the status of national contest. It aims at developing innovative thinking, entrepreneurship, communication and planning in adolescents. As the head of the British Council Uzbekistan, Mark Crossey, noted, according to research, the culture of enterprise whereby people wish to express their creativity, problem-solving talent and drive for innovation is an essential factor of economic advancement, job creation and capital raising for economic and public benefit. That is why the contest is a kind of assistant for training of new generation specialists.
Within the framework of competitions, students of vocational colleges and academic lyceums develop not only their own creative approach to solving problems, but also practice in teamwork, financial literacy, and demonstrate leadership qualities. This year, young people elaborated innovative business ideas to address certain social issues and presented them with success. Mark Crossey expressed hope that the best ideas will be implemented effectively.
As a result of the competition, the best team received a prize of 2.5 million soums as the initial capital for the realization of their idea. The winners were students of the Nukus Socio-Economic College who proposed the idea of making liquid wallpaper from the recycling of used clothes: “This idea came suddenly when the home of a member of our team was repaired. We conducted research, experimented, consulted with local entrepreneurs, analyzed the market and developed our business plan. Today we are winners. And the contest taught us how to work in a team, to turn an idea into a full-fledged business project, considering all risks and studying competitors. The prize will go to the development of our business.”