Central Asia Inaugurates Annual Digital Transformation Conference

Kyrgyz President Jeenbekov gave the inaugural speech at the first annual “Digital Transformation in Central Asia” conference. (Kremlin)

The University of Central Asia (UCA), hosted its first annual “Digital Transformation in Central Asia” conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in collaboration with the State Committee for Information Technology and Communications and the High Technology Park (HTP) of the Kyrgyz Republic, from October 4-6.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for Chief Information Officers and IT leaders in Central Asia to collaborate with other professionals, government officials, educators, and researchers in the fields of data collection and analysis, digitizing government services, management, cybersecurity, and the role of communications technology in education and research. Multinational technology companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, and SAP attended the conference in addition to professionals and government officials from Central Asian countries.

The University of Central Asia recognizes the importance of digital transformation that has dramatically changed the world in the past three decades. The university’s advertisement for the conference says that “there is an increasing recognition that technology can also level the playing field for emerging economies with their asymmetrical resources.”

In his inaugural speech to the conference, President Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan reiterated the importance of creating a more digitally advanced country. He also reminded the public that as president, he will prioritize the digitalization of the country in the years to come.

Dastan Dogoev, Chairman of the State Committee for Information Technology and Communications of Kyrgyzstan, delivered the opening keynote address. Twenty international speakers then presented their perspectives on the evolution of digital technology globally and in Central Asia.

The conference began in Bishkek and concluded with a visit to the campus of UCA in Naryn. On the campus, conference members participated in a Hackathon led by the HTP and engaged in discussions regarding new technologies and their role in the education sector.

Throughout the course of the conference, the University analyzed the impact of digitalization in the world and tried to find the best way for Central Asia to engage with these consequences. The conference’s various sessions addressed the preparations that Central Asian countries must undertake for successful digitalization. This conference served as an important first step in capitalizing on digital innovations in order to benefit of Central Asian economies and societies.