IT Park employees on the specifics of working in Uzbekistan's largest technology park

IT Park is the largest tech park in Uzbekistan, developing the country’s IT infrastructure. We spoke with employees of the organization to learn how they joined the company and what they enjoy about their work.

Shahzod Narzullaev, 25 years old, city — Tashkent, Head of Educational Projects at IT Park

About myself

I studied at Specialized School No. 60 in Tashkent, which had a German language focus. This helped develop my attention to detail and a healthy sense of perfectionism. Afterward, I enrolled in the Faculty of “Finance and Credit” at the G.V. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Tashkent.

While still a student, I began an internship at IT Park. I became interested in this field and pursued a master’s degree in “Digital Business.” Last year, I graduated with a master’s degree with honors.

About my career at IT Park

In 2020, I joined IT Park as an intern in the Startup Development Department. I was assigned a test project to open an incubation center at a university. At that time, I was looking for new challenges in a field that interested me. I wanted to understand how ideas turn into real projects.

After successfully completing the first project, I was hired. Two years later, I was promoted to the position of Head of Educational Projects. I met and worked with many interesting and creative people who are always active and dynamic.

Having recently finished my studies, I know what young people in the capital and regions of Uzbekistan are going through. Therefore, our team set a goal to expand access to educational programs, regardless of format, region, gender, age, or other factors.

One of the department’s largest projects is One Million Uzbek Coders, in partnership with Coursera. In 2023, the use of Coursera in Uzbekistan grew more than 200 times. About 150,000 people from different parts of Uzbekistan are now taking online courses with us.

The shE-commerce project will be completed by the end of September. Its goal is to train 150 housewives in e-commerce in the Surkhandarya region based on the UZUM Market marketplace.

We also implemented a project to train visually and hearing-impaired children. Within the framework of this project, we explained to children how computers and office programs work, taught them how to use the internet properly, and trained them in basic graphic design and programming skills.

About the specifics of the work

It is comfortable at IT Park. It starts with the people. The broad outlook, understanding, desire to work, and approaching everything with a smile — this is a culture that I appreciate. Colleagues have become good friends to me. We develop together and work on joint projects. The average age of IT Park employees is about 30 years.

The advantage of working at IT Park is the large number of interesting ideas. However, it is important to remember that we are doing responsible work. This requires courage, as many projects are completely new. We have to test them. Results are not always successful. The main thing is not to stop and always strive to bring started projects to completion.

I love IT Park and the people who work here.

Why I chose IT Park Uzbekistan

I believe that everyone has their destiny. In my second year of university, I had a desire to work. I sent my CV to various organizations, and IT Park was the first to respond. That’s how it all began.

About plans

I enjoy working with projects, initiating them, assembling existing resources, finding missing pieces, and putting it all together into one picture.

I want to develop in the field of project management. The main thing is that it brings benefit.

Umida Odilova, 22 years old, city — Tashkent, Chief Manager in the International Department of IT Park, @umida_od

About myself

I graduated with honors from Webster University with a degree in “Economics.” I was one of the first cohort of students at the Tashkent branch of the American university.

During my student years, I spent two semesters on exchange programs: at Korea University in Seoul and at the Webster branch in Vienna, Austria. At that time, I realized how much I am interested in other cultures, differences in thinking, and the behavior of people from different countries.

About my career at IT Park

I started my career at IT Park last year as an intern. I officially became an employee on my birthday. I worked as a specialist, and now I have moved to the position of manager in the Investments and International Relations Department.

I am responsible for cooperation with international organizations. The work includes organizing and conducting negotiations, drafting agreements, organizing trips, and attracting investments. I work most extensively with the Asian market: Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, and other countries.

About the specifics of the work

IT Park has a young team. This makes work more energetic and free time more fun. Often, young specialists find it difficult to find common ground with older colleagues in the office. But at IT Park, most employees are young people, for whom this comes easily.

There is always a degree of creativity in the work. You can come up with and propose a project. Management is open to new ideas.

During my time working here, my colleagues and I have become close friends. We spend the whole day together, visiting each other’s departments. After work, we can go somewhere to relax.

Why I chose IT Park Uzbekistan

Previously, I had not worked in government organizations, only in private and international ones. Once, after finishing a contract, I received a call from IT Park and was invited for an interview. Already in the office, I noticed that energy was buzzing everywhere, active discussions were taking place, and young people were around.

By then, I was already tired of working with older colleagues, and I decided that this was the office I had been looking for. And the work offered to me in the international department suited my character and interests.

About plans

I plan to develop my career in the investment sector. I work with a large number of consulting, investment, and grant companies, as well as site selectors. I act as a third party. But in the future, I would like to work directly within the field itself.

Jahongir Rajabov, city — Tashkent, Deputy Director of IT Park

About myself

I studied at the branch of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov in Tashkent, majoring in “Applied Mathematics and Informatics.”

During my bachelor’s studies, I worked as a developer in a small game development company. Upon entering the master’s program, I decided to change my line of work and try myself in the development of IT companies.

About my career at IT Park

In 2019, I joined IT Park as an intern. Later, I became an Assistant Manager for Acceleration Development, and then a Manager for Incubation Development.

Two years later, I was appointed Deputy Director of IT Park for Innovations. I headed the direction for developing the startup ecosystem. We help startups and product companies scale into other markets and attract investments.

About the specifics of the work

A distinctive feature of IT Park is its young team, which serves as a driver for the development of the organization and the digital technology sector as a whole.

Working at IT Park has been a fortunate coincidence in my life

Colleagues treat their activities as something greater than just a job. We strive to make a significant contribution to the development of the IT sphere in our country.

IT Park employees are responsive. They will help resolve all issues and never leave colleagues in trouble.

Why I chose IT Park

Working at IT Park has been a fortunate coincidence in my life. I would say that the organization chose me, not the other way around.

About plans

We plan to turn Uzbekistan into the IT hub of all Central Asia. We will do everything possible to create unique conditions and opportunities for everyone.