UzJOKU: Where Youth, energy And knowledge unite
In a world where diplomas are often seen as mere tickets to employment, the true purpose of higher education is sometimes forgotten. But for students like me, university is not just a stepping-stone — it is a transformative experience. It’s where knowledge becomes purpose, curiosity becomes direction, and youth finds its voice.
In 2024, I was admitted to the Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications (UzJOKU) on a state scholarship. I study English Philology and Language Teaching under the Faculty of International Relations and Social-Humanitarian Sciences. For me, this wasn’t just the fulfillment of a dream; it was the beginning of a lifelong journey in the pursuit of knowledge and meaningful communication. UzJOKU was established in 2018 by Presidential Decree No. 3737 and holds a unique place as the only specialized media university in Central Asia. In just seven years, it has evolved into a vibrant hub of journalism, international relations, media design, psychology, political science, and philology. But beyond degrees and disciplines, UzJOKU is a space where theory meets practice. Its modern facilities — from professional video studios to audio recording labs — allow students to apply what they learn in real-world settings. What sets UzJOKU apart, however, is not just its infrastructure. It’s the energy that flows between people. Here, passionate teachers transfer their knowledge — and their inspiration — to students who arrive each morning with eyes full of hope and hearts full of ambition. The university’s motto, often repeated by its rector Sherzodkhon Qudratkhoja, captures this spirit perfectly: “A university is the place where people and knowledge meet.”
At a recent Student Media Conference, Rector Qudratkhoja reflected on the institution’s rapid growth:
“These seven years were not ordinary. They were equal to many more. We’ve built the foundation of journalism and the social sciences — once scattered, now unified. The world has changed. That’s why what lies ahead is greater than what we’ve already achieved.”
Today, with nearly 5,000 students and a faculty of distinguished scholars, UzJOKU stands not only as a university but as a movement. Its rector — a renowned journalist, TV presenter, political scientist, and academic — leads with a vision grounded in national values and global thinking. He is also the chairman of the Uzbekistan National Media Association and holds the title of Doctor of Political Science and the prestigious “Mehnat Shuhrati” (Labor Glory) Order.
What I’ve found at UzJOKU is more than education — it’s connection. It’s the meeting point of experience and ambition, of heritage and innovation. It’s where I learned that energy isn’t only physical — it’s emotional, intellectual, and deeply human. And here, that energy is contagious. In a time of information overload and global complexity, institutions like UzJOKU remind us that shaping minds matters. That a university can be more than a building — it can be a living idea. I am proud to be part of this idea, to grow with it, and to contribute to a future where media is not only a profession, but a responsibility.
UzJOKU is not just where I study. It’s where I belong. It’s where people and knowledge truly meet.
About the Author
SHAHNOZA OCHILDIYEVA is a second-year student at the Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications (UzJOKU), majoring in English Philology and Language Teaching.