The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on 13 May, 2016, signed a Decree “On establishment of the Tashkent State University of Uzbek language and literature named after Alisher Navoi”.
According to the document, the native language and literature are the embodiment of national consciousness, the basis of cultural and spiritual development of any nation.
The Uzbek language has an ancient and rich history, and its formation, as evidenced by scientific facts, was influenced by Bactrians, Sogdians, Khorezmians, and other ethnic groups and nations, who once lived on the territory of the region BC and the early centuries of our era.
Hereby, it is worth to note the important role of ancient Turkic language in the formation and comprehensive development of the Uzbek literary language.
Our great ancestors – prominent figures of science and literature of different times and eras, such as Yusuf Hos Hozhib, Ahmad Yugnaki, Atoi, Lutfi, Babur, Agakhi, Mashrab, Mukimi, Furkat and other well-known educators, having vividly reflected the richness of vocabulary, artistic ability, beauty and elegance of our language in their creative works, made an invaluable contribution in this direction.
Immortal works of the great poet and thinker Alisher Navoi, which are today included in the Treasury of world culture were created in our native language, extending its glory throughout the world.
As emphasized in the Decree of the head of our state, we, as the inheritors of this priceless wealth, should preserve the native language, to constantly work on its enrichment, to further enhance the role and importance, bearing it as our top priority, and this issue will always be at the center of our attention.
In this regard, it should be noted, that on the basis of the Law “On state language”, adopted in 1989, the Uzbek language was given the status of a state, and this legal norm is enshrined in the Constitution of our country.
In addition, a number of resolutions were adopted in this direction, including the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On the state programme of implementation of the Law “On state language” of 1990, the Law “On introduction of the Uzbek alphabet based on Latin script” (1993), the Law “On amendments and additions to the Law “On state language of the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated 1995, resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers from 1996 on introducing appropriate amendments in the above-mentioned state programme and other documents related to the development of the sphere.
The available legal framework guarantees all representatives of different nations and peoples living in our country their constitutional right to development and the free use of their native languages, which surely deserves special attention.
Due to the available wide opportunities for the development of national languages in the country today, training in educational institutions and the activity of media is conducted in seven languages, which serves as an important factor in strengthening inter-ethnic harmony in our society.
Meanwhile, it is necessary to mention the comprehensive system of learning foreign languages, including English that ensures a deeper integration of Uzbekistan into the international community.
At the same time, important researches are conducted on such vital issues as the place and role of the Uzbek language and literature in the development of our society and the people, dictionaries, encyclopedias, monographs and textbooks are published. Great attention is paid to training, retraining and advanced training of scientific and pedagogical staff, specialists of the Uzbek language and literature.
However, as noted in the presidential Decree, we still have much work ahead to remove existing in this area deficiencies. First of all, today’s urgent task is the deep study of the historical roots and the full development of the native language on a scientific basis, as well as the expansion of its application, primarily in these extremely important areas and directions, as fundamental science, modern information and communication technology, industry, financial and banking system, law, diplomacy, military affairs. In this regard, one of the important tasks facing us, is the publication of modern textbooks, etymological and comparative dictionaries, the development of relevant terms, concepts and categories.
In the current age of accelerated globalization, the need for in-depth study of specific features of the native language and literature, its historical development, current state and perspectives is rising. The adopted presidential decree “On establishment of the Tashkent State University of Uzbek language and literature named after Alisher Navoi” should serve to increase the effectiveness of the research work in this direction, radically improve the quality of teaching of Uzbek language and literature at all stages of the education system.
In accordance with the decree, the new University is to be established on the basis of the faculty of Uzbek Philology of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek and the faculty of Uzbek language and literature of the Tashkent State Pedagogical University named after Nizami, as well as the Institute of language and literature named after Alisher Navoi of the Academy of Sciences.
The newly formed University will have three faculties: Uzbek Philology, teaching of Uzbek language and literature and the faculty of Uzbek-English translation, as well as the research Institute of Uzbek language and literature.
The new University will become the basic higher educational institution on training of specialists in philology, the teaching staff, highly qualified translators, conducting research works, retraining and advanced training of workers, development of scientific and educational materials in the Uzbek language and literature.
The Decree of the head of state has defined the main tasks of the University:
– training of highly qualified scientific and pedagogical personnel meeting the requirements of time, have a deep understanding of specific features of scientific-theoretical, philosophical and aesthetic foundations of the Uzbek language and literature, possessing modern educational technologies;
– training of interpreters, capable of exercising high-quality translations of scientific, artistic and other literature from Uzbek to English and other languages, as well as from world languages into the native language;
– educating students in the spirit of love and devotion to the Motherland, national and universal values, with a broad outlook and independent thinking;
– the study of a historically formed linguistic and literary schools, classical and modern Uzbek language, literature and folklore, the contributions of our great ancestors in the development of Uzbek and world linguistics, their scientific heritage and values of our native language in the world, its relations with other languages, as well as scientific issues concerning prospects of its development;
– preparing evidence-based proposals for the creation of a new academic and teaching grammar that fully meet the peculiarities of the Uzbek language, to improve the phonetic system and the rules of spelling, the publication of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and textbooks on various subjects and areas;
– conducting research on new and effective teaching methods of Uzbek language and literature, introduction of advanced educational technologies in general education schools, academic lyceums and professional colleges, higher educational institutions;
– preparation of scientific and methodological developments, practical recommendations aimed at ensuring a worthy place of the native language in the world information network, creation of software for Uzbek language and linguistic translation, as well as electronic textbooks, comparative vocabularies on the basis of the Uzbek and world languages.
A national Commission led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirzieev has been set up according to the presidential decree, which will address organizational issues related to establishment of the institution.