August 25, 2008
Politics:
Uzbek, South Korean MPs hold talks in Tashkent
Economics:
Integration of computer license system in progress
Digital telecasting presented in Tashkent
Bridge over Syrdarya River to connect Andijan and Namangan
Uz-Shindong Silicon JV created to explore quartz, quartzite deposits
IEG Uzbekistan to hold "UzMedExpo 2008" in October
Society:
Omani delegation visits educational, scientific institutions
Geologists discuss water and climate issues in Uzbekistan
Report: Young Power Engineers Gather at Forum in Ferghana
Bakers Compete for Making Best Samarkand Bread
POLICY
UZBEK, SOUTH KOREAN MPS HOLD TALKS IN TASHKENT
A delegation of National Assembly of the Republic of Korea led by vice speaker Lee Young-sung met the speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan Dilorom Toshmuhamedova on August 22.
The sides noted that relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea are developing in all directions, including in parliamentarianism.
Lee Young-sung said the wide-scale reforms in all spheres in Uzbekistan are giving their fruits. He said that he is sure that the cooperation between two states and bilateral friendship will strengthen further.
The sides exchanged opinion on current affairs and perspectives of mutual beneficial relations between lawmakers of Uzbekistan and South Korea. The sides noted that there are favourable conditions to boost relations between parliaments.
On the same day, the delegation visited Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan to hold talks with the speaker Ilgizar Sobirov.
The guests also visited State Musuem of Temurid's History to acquaint with exhibits, which covers life and activity of Amir Temur.
ECONOMY
INTEGRATION OF COMPUTER LICENSE SYSTEM IN PROGRESS
The "UzCDL – national computer licenses" Project envisaging the creation of a system to test the level of computer knowledge is progressing to its final phase in Uzbekistan. The idea is that everyone is given an opportunity to receive a certificate that certifies that the person has basic computer skills, UzA reported.
"The system being integrated is created according to the similar programmes that are already in place and are quite widespread," Director General of the Association of Information Technology Companies and Organisations of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Abdullaev said. "The most demanded of them is the European Computer Drive License Programme. It successfully functions for over a decade on the territory of the European Union and serves as an active mechanism of certification of computer skills."
The benefits of integration of a computer rights system are obvious to all participants of the IT sphere. Employers will have more confidence about the safety of allowing a hired employee to the information systems being operated, because the course is standardized and includes the whole range of the necessary basic skills. The certificate cannot be forged, because together with the issuance of a printed certificate, the name of the holder and the id of the document are included in the database that can be looked through at the programme's web page online. The holders do not really need to present the document every time, all that is needed is the ID number.
In line with their objectives, goals and available potential the educational centres providing courses on information technology are organizing the study process based their original plans and methods. They are quite diverse. There is a great number of subject-specific courses that focus on providing the students primarily product specific skills. As a result the assessment of the knowledge received by the person based only on the fact that he or she has a certificate is subjective. And in this situation a national system that certifies the qualifications of the IT users is highly needed.
According to Abdullaev, the implementation of a national certification standard will serve as a stimulus to the solution of important tasks, such as improvement of the skills of using personal computers and basic software applications, provision of equal access to information resources for all, regardless of age, gender, occupation, location, or previous education, improvement of the operational efficiency at private companies and state government agencies through rational use of information and communication technology.
The implementation of the tasks set is done by the IT Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan jointly with the UNDP ICT Policy Project in Uzbekistan. The required database of test questions has already been formed to date. The organizational forms of the system's functioning have been determined, and the foremost steps within the frames of the project have been decided on. Its presentation and the issuance of the first computer licenses are timed to the annual national information technology exhibition, ICT Expo 2008, and the traditional Week of Information Communication Technology, scheduled for late September this year.
DIGITAL TELECASTING PRESENTED IN TASHKENT
A presentation on the creation of pilot zone of digital telecasting in Tashkent was held at the Center of radio communication, radiocasting and television on 22 August, the Uzbek Agency for Communication and Information (UzACI) said. The UzACI said Uzbekistan adopted an action plan to launch digital telecasting in Uzbekistan. It added that Uzbekistan selected DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting) standard for digital broadcasting in Uzbekistan. NEC of Japan installed the first terrestrial satellite system in Tashkent in 1992, the first in Central Asia. Uzbekistan also became the first country in CIS, which introduced MPEG – 4 audio and video compression standard in creation of digital telecasting network. Speaking at the presentation, the first deputy director-general of the UzACI Agzam Izbosarov noted that the UzACI started to carry out work on gradual transfer of telecasting to digital broadcasting from 2006.
He said the first step in launch of terrestrial digital broadcasting became the creation of pilot zones in Tashkent and Bukhara. Uzbekistan held a tender on procurement of digital telecasting equipment in June-July 2007 and on 20 August 2007, NEC of Japan and Rohde & Schwarz of Germany won a contract to supply equipment for creation of pilot zones of terrestrial digital TV broadcasting in Tashkent and Bukhara cities. A. Kawabata, representative of NEC in Uzbekistan, said the company pays great attention to the project and in future it is planed to expand digital broadcasting to whole territory of Uzbekistan. The installation and assembly works are completed in these two cities and testing is underway, the UzACI said. It added that currently 10 TV programmes, including state-run and commercial ones, are tested. The agency said it is planned to start digital telecasting in pilot zones on Independence Day of Uzbekistan, 1 September 2008.
BRIDGE OVER SYRDARYA RIVER TO CONNECT ANDIJAN AND NAMANGAN
Large-scale construction projects are being implemented in Namangan region. Over the years of independence hundreds of modern buildings, medical and educational facilities, cultural-household structures, parks and gardens, roads and bridges were built in villages and cities of the region, UzA wrote.
A new bridge is now being built over Syrdarya River to connect Namangan and Andijan regions. The bridge will be 300 meters in length and 10 meters wide. It will be intended for a four-lane traffic flow.
There are of course certain difficulties associated with erecting a bridge over rapid, wild water stream, that require special mastery and courage on the part of builders. The members of the 13th bridge-building crew of the main subcontractor – the Republican KuprikKurilish Trust are managing this task with excellence. They are running the construction ahead of the schedule.
"Our crew has good experience in this type of projects," a Manager Emil Dautov said. "We use the skills built up in the construction of a number of big bridges, particularly a 700-meters long bridge over Amudarya River, railway bridges of Tashguzar – Baysun – Kumkurgan.
Experts note that the durability of the bridge is very high. Eight out of 12 of the intermediary supportive columns intended to support hundreds of tonnes of loaded vehicles are set in the water-running part of the river. Reinforcement columns are installed 23 meters deep into the river bed, which is intended to raise the durability of the bridge. Using the latest and advanced technologies these construction operations were carried out fast and qualitatively.
About 400 workers, over 30 units of technology are involved in the construction works. All the conditions have been created for the labour and recreation of specialists.
The new bridge connecting the two banks of the river Syrdarya will shorten the distances between the cities of Andijan, Namangan and Margilan by 20 kilometers.
According to the plans, the construction is to be completed before the celebration of the 17th independence anniversary of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
UZ-SHINDONG SILICON JV CREATED TO EXPLORE QUARTZ, QUARTZITE DEPOSITS
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On creation of the Uzbek-Korean joint venture Uz-Shindong Silicon LLC" on August 11, Uzreport Business Information Portal reported.
The document said the new enterprise is created to further expansion of geology exploration works and mining of solid natural resources, which used as resources in high technology industry. Earlier, State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources proposed to create joint venture with Shindong Enercom Inc. (the Republic of Korea) to create joint venture Uz-Shindong Silicon to carry out geology exploration works on business risks conditions to determine deposits of quartz and quartzite at Zargar, Usmat and Turkman fields in Jizzakh region. The charter capital of new venture is US$2.43 million, of which 50% fell to share of the South Korean firm. Shindong Enercom Inc. will invest into new venture money resources and equipment.
State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources will hold 50% shares in the venture and it form its part of charter capital due to geological and geophysical information, received earlier on the result of exploration works at Zargar, Usmat and Turkman fields in Jizzakh region. The exploration works to determine quartz and quartzite, suitable for production of technical silicon, poly- and mono-crystal of silicon, will be conducted within the area of Zargar, Usmat and Turkman fields in Jizzakh region. On the result of the exploration works, the sides will propose to the government on creation of capacities on production of technical silicon, poly- and mono-crystal of silicon and further production of elements of microelectronics. State Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources issued a license to exploration works of Zargar, Usmat and Turkman fields in Jizzakh region to Uz-Shindong Silicon with the term of three years. Jizzakh regional administration was entrusted to allocate land area to Uz-Shindong Silicon, which is necessary to explore Zargar, Usmat and Turkman fields.
IEG UZBEKISTAN TO HOLD "UZMEDEXPO 2008" IN OCTOBER
IEG Uzbekistan will hold an international medical exhibition "UzMedExpo 2008" at Intercontinental Hotel on 7-9 October 2008.
Health Ministry of Uzbekistan and the Association of Foreign Pharmaceutical Companies in Uzbekistan are official supporters of the exhibition. The exhibition "UzMedExpo 2008" will demonstrate achievement of Uzbek and foreign producers of medical equipment and pharmaceutical products. The exhibition will serve as tool for development of healthcare system of Uzbekistan through attraction of modern medical equipment.
The organizer said the exhibition is aimed at promoting modern medical equipment into market of Uzbekistan, creating competitive environment in medical services' market, establishment of contacts, etc. The exhibition will have such thematic categories as modern technology for healthcare, medical equipment and tools, medicaments and their production, dental equipment and materials and others.
SOCIETY
OMANI DELEGATION VISITS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS
A delegation of Sultanate of Oman led by Minister of Higher Education Dr. Rawiya Bint Saud Al Busaidiya held negotiations at the higher education and scientific establishments of Tashkent city on August 22, UzA said.
During the meeting with the director of Scientific-Research Institute of Oriental Studies named after Abu Rayhan Beruniy of the Science Academy of Uzbekistan Surrayo Karimova, it was noted that the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Oman is developing in academic sphere along with other sectors.
The guests familiarized with the activity of the institute and the sides exchanged opinion on cooperation between the Uzbek institute and Univesity of Sultan Kobus in Oman. The sides achieved agreement on joint studies and researches of manuscripts, preparation of them into publication, improve skills of scientists, exchange of information and experience.
Dr. Rawiya Bint Saud Al Busaidiya said she was impressed with rich heritage of Uzbekistan, including ancient books and manuscripts. She said this is evidence for right history of the country and its spiritual heritage.
The delegation also visited Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute, Tashkent Information Technologies University and Museum of Temurids' History.
GEOLOGISTS DISCUSS WATER AND CLIMATE ISSUES IN UZBEKISTAN
An international geology conference on climate change and landscape evolution in the Central Asian mountains and water basins was held in Tashkent on August 19-21.
Scientists from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Moldova, Russia, Japan, Switzerland and Germany took part in the conference.
The participants visited Samarkand on 22 August and left for the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, where they will continue their work until 28 August.
Scientists believe it is impossible now to influence the amount of water in Central Asia but there is need to use it wisely and switch to more efficient ways of irrigation, for example drip irrigation, because practice shows that extensive watering methods, inherited from the Soviet Union, leads to great water losses.
The whole Central Asian region is suffering from irrigation water shortages this year, and the countries should solve problems of water use in winter and summer.
The conference, held at the Goethe Institute in Tashkent, is devoted to the 80th anniversary of the German-Soviet research expedition to the Pamir and Alay mountains.
REPORT: YOUNG POWER ENGINEERS GATHER AT FORUM IN FERGHANA
In the framework of the Year of youth State program the State Joint-Stock Company Uzbekenergo initiated a conference of young power engineering specialists in Ferghana Province, Jahon Information Agency reported.
According to the report, over 120 young specialists of production companies of Andijan, Namangan and Ferghana provinces took part at the conference.
Uzbekistan pays a special attention to training qualified cadres for all spheres, in particular, in the area of energy. Work in this direction sees its development in the Year of youth. This conference is called upon to promote qualification and enrich the skills of young cadres engaged in this sphere.
Those who spoke at the opening of the conference have said that such events allowed young specialists to learn about the peculiarities of producing and supplying power energy to consumers, novelties and reforms in the area, as well as master the cutting-edge technologies.
“The youth makes up majority among the employees of energy sphere,” chairman of Ferghana Heat and Energy Center Rakhmatilla Nuraliev said. “In particular, many young specialists work at our Center. Annually, the Ferghana Polytechnic Institute produces over 20 young specialists and on our part we strive to support them, as well.”
As a part of the conference the organizers plan to hold contests and sports competitions among its participants, hold tours along the places of worth in Ferghana and Marghilan.
BAKERS COMPETE FOR MAKING BEST SAMARKAND BREAD
On the eve of the 17th anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan a contest “Bread of Samarkand” was held in Samarkand, according to the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.
From of old Samarkand has been famous for its great thinkers, rich history and architectural monuments. Along with all of these the Samarkand bread is well known all over the world. Its unique taste astonishes millions of tourists who arrive from all around the globe.
The contest was aimed at reviving and propagating the ancient values and traditions, in particular, raising the fame of Samarkand bread. Over 200 bakers – the winners of municipal and regional stages of the contest, as well as enterprises producing bread and bakery goods participated at the event.
At the contest the bakers demonstrated more than 50 kinds of grain products baked in various regions of Uzbekistan.
“The representatives of our dynasty have always been engaged in bread baking,” Surayyo Ashurova from the Galaosiyo village of Samarkand district said. “Now we are continuing this tradition. In particular bread is baked at each house in our makhalla (local neighborhood community area).”
On the outcomes of the contest the bakers of Samarkand and Pakhtachi districts secured the top places. The next places went to the representatives of the city of Samarkand, as well as Urgut, Kattakurgan and Payarik districts, respectively.