Publication Details
Abstract
Uzbekistan has witnessed higher education institutions beginning to become a significant player in the development of the innovative entrepreneurship environment in the republic. I see the role of universities changing; they are now experimental grounds for youth to try new ideas and learn by doing, rather than places simply for academia. This article discusses how higher education is helping innovative entrepreneurship to blossom by focusing on evolution in academic curricula, start-up support ecosystems, research and innovation laboratories and the slowly burgeoning stronger ties between universities and the private sector. Results indicate that university contributes to the new generation of innovators, the youth, who will be starting their own business and creating specialists according to the requirement of a modern economy. While the study notes these successes, there are real challenges too, such as limited funding, a lack of seasoned mentors which makes access to expertise difficult, and the fact that university-industry collaboration is still in its infancy. The present article provides further insights into this developing process and recommends potential actions for higher education institutions to enhance their role in fostering innovative entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan.