Oriented on making people closer

The International Forum "Turkmentel-2024" became a landmark event in the development of digital technologies, and its culmination was the award ceremony for the winners of the "Digital Solution-2024" competition. The startup competition clearly highlighted a number of important trends in the field of innovative projects, and also confirmed the ability of Turkmen youth to develop practical solutions to pressing problems.

Organized by the "Turkmen Communications" Agency (Turkmenaragatnashyk), the competition lasted ten days, attracting a large number of participants - young representatives of scientific and educational institutions, as well as employees of specialized departments.

It is noteworthy that among the winners were not only university students and specialists from industry organizations, but also schoolchildren, which testifies to the early involvement of Turkmen youth in innovation processes and indicates a gradual growth of their interest in high-tech areas.

The topics of the competition works covered a considerable list of relevant areas, such as smart technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, software, ecology, healthcare... It is worth noting that this spectrum reflects precisely those areas in which Turkmenistan seeks to actively develop its scientific and technical base.

The jury, consisting of representatives of the country's leading ministries and organizations (including education; healthcare and the medical industry, the Academy of Sciences, as well as specialized industry departments), evaluated the projects according to several criteria, such as innovativeness, practical significance and scalability of solutions, etc.

During the award ceremony, it was seen how the chairman of the “Turkmen Communications” Agency (Turkmenaragatnashyk) Khadzhimurat Khudaigulyev with undisguised satisfaction presented certificates and memorable gifts to the distinguished ones.

This year, hundreds of young people took part in the competition. 42 projects became winners in seven nominations, 10 of which were developed by girls. Those who presented innovative solutions in the field of using digital technologies in education were especially distinguished.

The very fact that winners were determined in seven diverse categories – from healthcare to smart cities – demonstrates the wide range of interests of young Turkmen developers.

For example, in the “Healthcare” category, first place was won by a student of the Turkmen Institute of Telecommunications and Informatics, Bainazar Mukhammedov, with the PECS cards program, designed to improve communication for people with special needs.

This solution not only illustrates the importance of developing technologies to support vulnerable groups, but also focuses on the social aspects of digital innovation aimed at improving the quality of life for everyone.

In the “Artificial Intelligence” category, the winner was Shatlyk Shokhradov from the Oguz Khan Engineering and Technology University, who presented a project on diagnosing diseases using artificial intelligence. This development highlights the growing interest in the use of AI in healthcare, which is an important step towards improving the efficiency of medical services and diagnostics.

The project of Yazmuhammet Agamyradov, who won in the “Robotics and Automation” category with an innovative 3D printer for ceramics and construction, opens up new horizons for the use of additive technologies in the construction industry, which can significantly speed up production processes and reduce costs.

In the “Education and E-Learning” category, first place was won by Arslan Byashimov, who proposed a project using photogrammetry to study natural and historical monuments. This solution demonstrates how digital technologies can be used to preserve the cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.

The socially significant project of Alyosha Amanov from the State Energy Institute, who developed the "Smart Ship" for collecting plastic waste, also aroused keen interest. In the context of the global environmental agenda, such a project can contribute to solving local problems of environmental pollution.

In the same row is the victory of school student Emir Shammaev, who developed a device for generating electricity from pedestrian traffic, in the Smart city category. This emphasizes the relevance of involving young people in the development of sustainable urban technologies that can reduce the burden on traditional energy sources.

And this is the same ecology and work at the local level to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change. How can one not recall the slogan of the "Club of Rome", picked up by the UN: "think globally, act locally" (but not vice versa).

Finally, the victory of a student of school No. 129, Artur Bakhtiyarov, who created the social network and messenger "Tick" in the nomination "Service Systems". This project indicates a growing interest in creating their own technological solutions in the field of communications and social platforms.

In passing, we note that the next competition from the "Digital Solution" series is far from the only competition held in Turkmenistan among young programmers, technologists and inventors. Such events and Olympiads are often organized by the Ministry of Education and specialized departments.

It is good that they are not held for show. Talented young men and women really demonstrate a high level of preparation and creativity, creating projects that can really solve some economic and social issues.

So, the competition is over. However, it not only summed up the expected results, but also raised questions addressed to those who are directly interested in the practical application of these and other developments of young intellectuals. First of all, these are the relevant departments. As well as the business community of the country. After all, with the right approach, such projects will help not only solve a number of problems, but also bring profit to those who will engage in their commercialization.

According to expert reviews, the ideas and developments embodied in youth projects, when involved in economic turnover, are capable of significantly increasing investment income.

In general, the Digital Solution 2024 competition has become not only another step in supporting youth initiatives, but also an important platform for demonstrating the technological maturity of modern Turkmenistan.

The competition demonstrated that state support and interdepartmental cooperation really contribute to the development of new technologies. And also the fact that Turkmenistan, actively investing in education and science, creates a sustainable basis for technological development, involving young people in solving truly pressing problems.

And this is the innovative potential of the emerging generation of specialists in the field of information technology and engineering. That is, the near future of the country.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYYEV

Photo: автора