“Advancing Media Together”: Media School Uzbekistan Alumni Meet in Tashkent

On October 28, a conference for Media School Uzbekistan alumni titled “Advancing Media Together!” was held in Tashkent. Journalists, media managers, and heads of media projects who studied at the school in 2019–2020 gathered to share their professional experiences, discuss their current work, and reflect on changes in the journalism sector.

The distinctive feature of the meeting was that it brought together professionals who had once studied in the same educational programme but now work at different editorial offices and organisations. Some continue to work as journalists, while others manage media teams and develop new projects.

Media School Uzbekistan has been training journalists and media managers since 2019. Over the years, its graduates have gone on to work in various areas of Uzbekistan’s media sector. The conference aimed to strengthen professional connections among alumni and create opportunities for new collaborations.

The conference was organised within the framework of the “Media School Uzbekistan 2026” project, implemented by DW Akademie and the Centre for the Development of Modern Journalism, with the participation of the Centre for Content Production for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The project is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The opening ceremony was attended by Saida Sulaymanova, Director of the Centre for the Development of Modern Journalism; Tohir Umarov, Head of the International Cooperation and Educational Projects Department at the Centre for Content Production for Mass Media; Matthias Follert, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Uzbekistan; and Kristina Sell, a representative of DW Akademie.

Professional Experience and New Opportunities

The conference also focused on the professional experience and current activities of Media School Uzbekistan alumni. In the media sector, the need for new knowledge and skills never disappears. Journalists explore new formats, editorial offices update their working methods, and media managers seek effective ways to lead teams and manage projects.

Abror Kurbonmurotov, who is from the Surkhandarya region, studied at Media School Uzbekistan in 2020. This year, she returned to the school to continue her education in media management and is working to establish and develop her career as a media manager.

Abror says she was delighted to hear that a conference for Media School Uzbekistan alumni was being organised. In her view, such gatherings provide an important opportunity to bring together graduates from different years, exchange experiences, and strengthen professional relationships.

“This conference is very important to me. Graduates of Media School Uzbekistan can meet again and share their experiences with one another. At the same time, it creates an opportunity to discuss existing challenges in journalism today, exchange ideas on how to address them, and develop new proposals. I believe such meetings are beneficial not only for the alumni but also for the development of the media sector as a whole,” says Abror Kurbonmurotov.

She emphasises that continuous learning, adapting to changes, and drawing on the experience of other professionals are essential in the media industry. For this reason, she is expanding her knowledge of media management this year, with the aim of managing media projects effectively and helping them grow in the future.

Her experience demonstrates that learning and professional development in the media sector do not end with a single stage of education. A career that begins in journalism can gradually lead to media management, team leadership, and the development of new projects.

Sharing Experiences and Making New Plans

The conference featured an Alumni Talks session, during which graduates from different years spoke about their professional activities, achievements, and projects.

Plans for developing the Media School Uzbekistan alumni professional community, known as the Alumni Network, for 2026–2027 were also presented. Discussions focused on developing mentoring programmes, expanding opportunities for further training, sharing professional experience, and implementing joint projects.

During 2026, an alumni council was established, and a communication platform was created to facilitate interaction among graduates. Stories highlighting alumni members’ professional activities and achievements also began to be published.

Such meetings are particularly valuable because they allow colleagues to learn about one another’s work, exchange experiences, and discuss new ideas. Professionals working at different editorial offices can share the challenges they face, discuss practical solutions, and explore common approaches to issues affecting the media sector.

What Challenges Do Journalists Face Today?

One of the conference’s main themes was the rapid transformation of modern journalism. During the discussion titled “Media Is Changing Faster Than Newsrooms”, participants examined the skills journalists need, ways to maintain audience trust, and approaches to ensuring the sustainability of media projects.

Today, journalists are expected not only to produce news quickly but also to verify information, understand audience needs, and present content in different formats. At the same time, editorial offices must do more than produce reliable reporting: they also need to ensure the economic sustainability of their operations.

The discussion titled “Not Turning Psychological Trauma into a Sensation” focused on professional responsibility in journalism. Participants explored international standards for reporting on violence, including violence against children.

Safinas Axayeva, UNICEF Uzbekistan’s Child Protection Adviser, took part in the discussion. Particular attention was paid to protecting the rights of survivors, complying with professional ethical standards, and preventing further psychological trauma.

A masterclass on climate journalism explored how to report on environmental challenges and corporate environmental responsibility. Participants discussed the importance of maintaining journalistic independence when covering these issues and distinguishing journalism from advertising and propaganda.

The range of topics addressed during the conference demonstrated that modern media professionals need more than strong journalistic skills. Knowledge of management, economics, and professional ethics is equally important.

One School, One Professional Community

The Media School Uzbekistan alumni gathering was not simply an opportunity to reminisce about past studies. It provided a platform for professionals working in different organisations to exchange experiences, find new partners, and discuss future plans.

The decision of graduates such as Abror Kurbonmurotov to return to education also illustrates the importance of continuous professional development. A career that begins in journalism can lead to media management, while existing experience can be strengthened through new knowledge and skills.

The initiatives discussed at the “Advancing Media Together!” conference are aimed at strengthening connections among alumni, developing mentoring opportunities, and expanding prospects for collaborative projects.

Bringing together professionals who studied at the same school in different years once again highlighted the importance of cooperation in the media sector. After all, the development of journalism depends not only on the work of individual professionals but also on their willingness to learn from one another, share experiences, and work together towards common goals.