Rector of UzJOKU: “Darkness is receding, and the light of the renaissance is emerging”
A delegation of UzJOKU faculty members paid a visit to the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. The delegation was headed by the Rector of the University, Sherzodkhon Qudratkhodja. The guests were welcomed by the Director of the Center, who provided a detailed guided tour and introduced them closely to the museum’s exhibitions.
The delegation first viewed the mosaics displayed in the Center’s Hall of Honor. Through this exhibition, the immense contribution of the great ancestors to the development of world science and culture is presented in an artistic form. The harmony of colors and the refined artistic solutions of the panels in the hall aroused strong interest among the guests.
Subsequently, the delegation familiarized themselves with the sections dedicated to the Pre-Islamic period, the First and Second Renaissances, and “New Uzbekistan – the Foundation of a New Renaissance.” These exhibitions comprehensively present the development of ancient civilizations on the territory of the country, the historical stages of scientific and cultural advancement, as well as the spiritual and educational reforms being implemented in contemporary Uzbekistan.
During the visit, particular attention was drawn to the exhibitions of the Islamic Civilization Center that are designed on the basis of modern museum technologies, digital platforms, and elements of artificial intelligence. This approach serves to convey historical heritage to a wide audience especially the younger generation in a contemporary, engaging, and interactive manner.
“Our ancestors were intellectual giants who were writing books and engaging in science at a time when others had not yet learned how to read. Using some of the world’s most unique astrolabes and scientific instruments, they calculated the movements of celestial bodies and achieved results that differ from those produced by modern computers by only a fraction of a second. This clearly demonstrates their unparalleled scientific capacity and intellectual brilliance.
This project has been implemented on the initiative of the President and serves to highlight the role played by our scholars in the development of Islamic civilization across the vast regions of Turan and Asia. As the American professor Frederick Starr has noted, ‘The history of Uzbekistan lay in a dark room.’ Today, however, that darkness is receding, the light of the Renaissance is emerging, and new pages of history are being opened,” said Sherzodkhon Qudratkhodja, Rector of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan.
The faculty members also familiarized themselves with the interactive projects created for young visitors within the exhibition. In the Second Renaissance section, the Rector of the University engaged in a dialogue with an artificial intelligence “animated” representation of the Timurid prince Mirzo Ulugbek. He asked about Ulugbek’s memories related to his grandfather Amir Temur and Saraymulk Khanum, to which Mirzo Ulugbek provided detailed responses. This experience generated considerable interest among the faculty members and was recognized as an effective example of presenting history to the younger generation through a contemporary and accessible “language.”
In addition, during the visit, discussions were held on expanding scholarly and educational cooperation between the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan (UzJOKU) and the Islamic Civilization Center. These included plans to organize practical training sessions, educational tours, and joint projects for students and faculty members. In particular, prospective initiatives were outlined to develop specialized fields such as guide journalism, travel journalism, and history-oriented journalism.
Nazira Toshpulatova, Professor and Head of the Department of Human Rights and Media at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan (UzJOKU), gave particular recognition to the technological approach employed at the Center and to the practical embodiment of the idea of the Third Renaissance, stating:
“The lifeblood of this museum is technology. Through the use of artificial intelligence, opportunities have been created to engage in dialogue with our ancestors. Here, I witnessed not merely the concept of the Third Renaissance, but its practical realization. History is narrated here as a living experience visitors do not grow weary and are able to find the spiritual answers they seek.”
At the conclusion of the visit, it was emphasized that the Islamic Civilization Center is a unique scholarly and educational space that promotes Uzbekistan’s rich historical, scientific, and spiritual heritage through a modern and innovative approach.
