July 22, 2015
General Motors Builds a New Plant in Uzbekistan. 2
Mahalla: A Reliable Bulwark of Societal Development 2
A record number of applications submitted to universities of Uzbekistan. 6
investments
General Motors Builds a New Plant in Uzbekistan
JSC Uzavtosanoat together with General Motors Corporation is planning the construction of an additional plant to expand the model lineup, informs the press office of JSC Uzavtosanoat.
In addition to the construction of the plant the work will continue on implementation of the projects aimed at development of production of components for new vehicles produced by GM Uzbekistan.
GM Uzbekistan model lineup currently consists of nine vehicles, backed by dozens of modern production facilities that manufacture the necessary components. According to forecasts of experts of the Center for Economic Research, the level of supply of the Uzbek population in cars in 2025 will grow twofold. It is expected that in ten years in our country, it will reach 132 cars per thousand inhabitants in the present level of 67 cars.
As part of the Investment program, in 2014 JSC Uzavtosanoat enterprises commissioned 14 projects worth $ 87.4 million.
(Source: IA «Uzbekistan Today»)
International cooperation
Meetings of EU delegation
The Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Peter Burian held meetings at the Legislative Chamber and Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.
During the meetings, the sides discussed issues of developing cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU to ensure rule of law, protection of environment, education and other spheres.
The sides also exchanged opinion on issues of expanding and strengthening cooperation of parliaments of Uzbekistan and the EU, further developing inter-parliamentary relations.
Peter Burian also visited National Human Rights Center of Uzbekistan and Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
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On July 21, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov received the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian.
During the conversation, the sides discussed the state and prospects of development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, the implementation of joint projects in various fields.
The sides exchanged views on enhancing the practical relevance and effectiveness of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, discussed topical international and regional problems.
The meeting was attended by the Head of the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, Ambassador Yuri Stark, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
Society
Mahalla: A Reliable Bulwark of Societal Development
Being an apotheosis of the unity of people, a social structure of the traditional arrangement of people’s lives, the Institute of Mahalla has a strong power in Uzbekistan. Based on centuries-old traditions, customs and rituals, it addresses important institutional, economic and educational problems as a specific model of self-government in a community.
THE RELATIONSHIPS IN A MAHALLA (local community) are built on justice, mutual respect, charity and mutual assistance. The human mind is enriched through the experience of elders, a personal example of the seniors, through the rules of communal behavior. This is, actually, an elementary school of eastern democracy. In this regard, our country has an advantage over many countries that have been making first steps on building a structure of local self-government. The Uzbeks have inherited this from their ancestors.
This original and unique structure is an integral part of the strong civil society that has been taking shape in the republic, an important factor in cultivating the human qualities like patriotism and love for the homeland, and respect for national values. Local communities reach such complicated and important goals in a very peculiar way, which has no parallel in the world: they do that through the authority of elders and their activists, convincing by word and example, backed by unconditional respect for those who are doing this difficult job and call for the good and noble deeds.
Nearly 10,000 self-governing bodies across the country support citizens in exercising their constitutional rights for participation in social and public governance, carry out public control over the activity of state bodies, contribute to addressing social and economic problems on their territory, and perform many other functions.
The key pillar in the work of a local community stands on maintaining close cooperation and partnership with public authorities, and the primary task comes to preservation of traditional values and passing them on from generation to generation, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles and ensuring social protection of the population.
The leaders and activists in local communities are an unquestioned authority, with a background of life experience and undoubted achievements at previous job, and with positive human features. That’s why the chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies in Uzbekistan are not appointed, but elected. This is a pledge that solely the revered people of the community become its chairs and councilors.
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT REGULATES THE RELATIONS in self-governing bodies is enshrined in the Constitution of Uzbekistan, on the Law ‘On Self-Governing Bodies’, ‘On the elections of a chairperson (alderman) of a citizens’ assembly, and his advisers’.
The chairpersons of citizens’ assemblies and their advisers are elected every 2.5 years, based on the principles of transparency and alternative option.
The staff of every citizens’ assembly comprises the full-time position of a chairperson, an advisor on religious, spiritual and moral education, executive secretary and a head of the social formation of ‘Mahalla Posboni’ (a control unit in a local community) – a total of about 40,000 people. The work of local communities involves about 100,000 volunteer advisors, who are elected from among reputable and respected residents, who head certain commissions in major areas of activity.
Self-governance bodies perform more than 30 functions that previously were a prerogative of the local authorities.
During the elections to the representative bodies of state power in 2014, the citizens’ assemblies effectively exercised their legislative right to nominate candidates for the local councils of people’s representatives.
TODAY’S MAHALLA IS THE CENTER OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, development of private entrepreneurship and family business. Its powers and authorities, as well as opportunities for effective public control over the government have been expanded. Previously, people addressed a citizens’ assembly for material assistance or in case of a conflict, while today all the initiatives and ideas on social and economic development of the territory, opening of business, employment and many other issues are discussed in a local community. The beautification of a mahalla and interests of its inhabitants lie at the bottom of every business or noble beginning started.
For example, over the recent years all 65 mahallas of Payaryk district in Samarkand region have built modern maintenance and service facilities, small manufactures, family businesses. Most of them were empowered with the assistance of citizens’ assemblies. For instance, the Mustaqillik Mahalla has 31 business entities that provide permanent jobs to nearly 120 residents. Several modern service complexes that are currently constructed by businessmen are expected to create dozens of new jobs.
“Five graduates and their parents have recently addressed us asking for an area for a consumer service unit in their community,” says chairman of Mustaqillik Mahalla Ibrohim Umirov. “We made a concession for aspiring entrepreneurs. We are also planning to repair an office building and place the entire first floor at the disposal of young entrepreneurs and craftswomen. It will also deal with employment issues, and vocational training of young people.
The fact that local communities have turned into centers of private enterprise has reinforced the sense of responsibility for the state of the territory in its residents, so the works on improving the infrastructure and landscaping are carried out also at the expense of internal resources. Through the joint synergies the residents build sports grounds, initiate repairs of roads and landscaping of places of worship.
The Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation has entailed the initiative to repair the houses of veterans in each local community, and provide a comprehensive care for the people of venerable age, who have turned the 100-year milestone.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY have been actively involved in the implementation of the tasks under the Year of Attention and Care for the Senior Generation Program. It has become a tradition at many citizens’ assemblies to organize trips to ancient cities and places of worship for the elderly, war and labor veterans. The respect for the elderly, providing them with comprehensive care, the widespread application of their rich life experiences in upbringing the young people is a priority.
For instance, a festivity ground of the Novbahor Mahalla in Nukus has been supplied with new furniture, computers, and periodicals. Now it is a place of leisure for veterans. The commission for social support of the citizens’ assembly has been supporting the lonely elderly citizens, war and labor veterans, ensuring the timely issuance of pensions, benefits and other social allowances. The needy elders are assisted in timely payments for utility bills and treatment.
The Ghalaba Mahalla of Almazar district of Tashkent has held an in-depth medical examination of the population. The rally was organized by the Soghlom Avlod Uchun International Charity Foundation.
The mobile teams of medical and social aid of the Foundation visit places of residence, examine the people, particularly women, adolescents and children, and raise awareness of healthy lifestyles. Within five months of medical and social rallies in 2015 over 95,000 residents of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions and the Tashkent city were covered with medical examination.
“Promotion of medical culture in families is one of our missions,” says Bahodir Ahmedov, the Chairman of Ghalaba Mahalla. “We have been implementing relevant projects jointly with family polyclinics, state and public organizations, and educational institutions of our region.”
Each citizens’ assembly offers permanent health groups for the elderly, the disabled and other categories of the population on the basis of the nearby sports facilities, educational institutions, physical culture rooms at family polyclinics, as well as special sports facilities in festivity grounds and service centers.
Citizens’ self-governing bodies are entrusted with an important mission of upbringing the young people, ensuring that they get up-to-date knowledge and professions, preventing family conflicts. They purposefully work on ensuring a sustainable social and spiritual atmosphere, growing a healthy and comprehensively advanced generation in the spirit of respect for national traditions and values, as well as organize interesting leisure.
‘Parent Universities’ under citizens’ assemblies permanently hold training workshops and advance the legal, moral and spiritual knowledge of the population, thus contributing to the prompt settlement of current problems.
The availability of special and secondary specialized educational institutions in the communities, all sorts of clubs, including sports and professional studios enrich the leisure time of the young people. For instance, many districts of Karakalpakstan and Andijan region provide youth clubs and social service centers that offer the PC studies, English language, music, dancing, knitting and cooking secrets mainly to the children from low-income families, young persons with disabilities, as well as maladjusted youth. Ensembles of talented students have been organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Education.
“Creation of small businesses, artisan and other shops and workshops have led to new jobs for young people,” says Hamida A’zamova, an advisor on religious enlightenment and spiritual and moral education of citizens’ assembly of Obodlik Mahalla in Zangiota District, Tashkent Region, “During the classes at the ‘Diligent Girl’ club we prepare them for family life, enhance their legal, medical and hygienic culture. This is an important factor in preventing divorce.”
Similar clubs were organized at all local communities two years ago. Their mission comes to shaping the culture of healthy lifestyles in girls, drawing their attention to the beautification of their homes, communities, cleaning the neighborhood, enhancing the environmental and health culture. It is noteworthy that they cover girls of every street, every high-rise building in a community. The advisors of citizens’ assemblies ensure the effective operation of the clubs in close collaboration with doctors, teachers and psychologists from local schools, colleges and lyceums, as well as women with a great life experience and skills in the work with the youth.
ADVISOR ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL AND MORAL ENLIGHTENMENT is a major figure in a self-governance body. This position is usually occupied by the most authoritative and active women with practical experience, who are capable to exercise a healthy influence on the population, especially on the youth, promote healthy lifestyles, preservation and development of national traditions and customs, the religious, spiritual and moral education. More than 8,500 advisors are currently actively involved in the implementation of large-scale reforms throughout the country.
Since the beginning of 2015, the advisors of local communities have studied the spiritual and moral atmosphere in four million families, assisted 128,000 of them in obtaining medical care, and over 105,000 citizens – in employment.
The advisors have been involved in 93,000 outreach activities in the communities that are aimed at the prevention of divorces among young families, and conduct of an obligatory premarital medical examination. Such measures are very important in terms of strengthening families, and creating a healthy spiritual atmosphere in the communities. 58,000 conversations and meetings have been held to make the mechanism of cooperation ‘family – community – educational institution’ more effective. Supported by the representatives of medical institutions, they covered 18,000 young couples, who are getting prepared for the marriage, with awareness building campaigns. The advisors introduced them to the basics of protecting the motherhood and childhood, and the relevance of healthy lifestyle. 75,000 young families have undergone a medical examination.
The indicators suggest a diligence and a responsible attitude of advisors on religious, spiritual and moral education to their work.
A competition for the most exemplary advisor on religious education and moral education is annually held throughout the country in order to assess the activities of community advisors, encourage them, and promote their excellence.
This April and May, over 8,500 advisors took part in the district and city stages of the competition and the qualifying stages took place in May-June in Karakalpakstan, regions and the Tashkent city, demonstrating the good knowledge and experience.
The republican stage of the competition has taken place the other day in Bukhara. Using modern information technologies, the participants presented the results of their everyday work and the progress they have achieved in their communities. Their presentations highlighted the work on ensuring a stable spiritual and moral atmosphere in the communities, the arrangement of spiritual education, strengthening of international friendship and concord, promotion of the status of the institution of family and social support for people with disabilities and the elderly, especially the lonely ones, women’s employment and other activities. The contestants have also demonstrated their competence in law. An exhibition of national costumes, photo albums, posters and stands demonstrated the work of advisors.
An advisor on religious, spiritual and moral education of Chilonzor citizens’ assembly of the eponymous district in Tashkent Markhamat Maksudova was recognized a winner of the competition.
“Ensuring peace and tranquility in the community, and strong families imposes a huge responsibility on the advisors,” says Markhamat-hon. “The cooperation with governmental and nongovernmental organizations and the public have been producing good outcomes. Not a single crime was registered in our community last year. We promptly settled family conflicts, and prevented seven divorces.”
The second prize went to the citizens’ assembly advisor of the Nurly Buston Mahalla of Kegeyli district of Karakalpakstan Oltingul Muhambetova, and the third prize was shared between advisor of citizens’ assembly of Shurobod mahalla in Romitan district of Bukhara region Saodat Hotamova, and advisor of citizens’ assembly ‘Yangi Hayot’ of Quyichirchiq district of Tashkent region Farida Hayitmatova.
Speaking about the importance of the competition, it would be appropriate to note that it serves as a platform for the advisors on religious, spiritual and moral education to develop their skills and competencies in the work with people. This is seen as an important factor in terms of their effective work in a certain territory, and promotion of their achievements and best practices.
… As noted in the work of President Islam Karimov on ‘High Spirituality as an Invincible Force’, “if we want to understand the spiritual climate and atmosphere in every home of the country, we need to see the way of life in the communities. In this regard, the ongoing constructive work in citizens’ assemblies and the efforts they have been taking to achieve the noble goals, today contribute to the further landscaping of our towns and villages, showing the growing prosperity of the people. There is a worthy contribution of mahallas in the changes that are being made to meet the citizens’ interests.”
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
EDUCATION
A record number of applications submitted to universities of Uzbekistan
The reception of documents from entrants completed in Uzbekistan on July 20. According to the State testing center under the Cabinet of Ministers, the number of applications submitted to universities this year reaching absolute record made 605.8 thousands. Recall that last year this figure amounted to more than 543.1 thousands.
In addition, this year the average of the competition made 10.45 persons per place (last year – 9.36).
Note that the most popular university in the country became Termez State University – 33242 entrants. The most unclaimed among university became Higher School of National Dance and Choreography, which received only 213 applications.
The most hard-to-reach university became the country’s Ferghana branch of the Tashkent Medical Academy. At 130 available quotas, 3356 people submitted their documents. Thus, the average competition for a place in this high school made 25.82.
As previously reported, according to the quotas approved by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan, the first-year undergraduate in 2015 will be 57,907 of entrants, of which 19,120 will be trained by government grants, and 38787 – on a contractual basis. On Masters Courses this year will be accepted 5,000 people, including government grants – in 1548, on a paid-contract basis – 3452 people.
Recall that tests in the universities of Uzbekistan will be held on August 1.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
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