How did the Solution Challenge workshops go

In February 2023, IT Park and GDG Tashkent, with the support of Uzum and Digital operator Beeline Uzbekistan, launched a program in Tashkent to prepare for the Solution Challenge contest.

Solution Challenge is an annual competition for students organized by Google to create a solution to a local problem using Google technologies in line with one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Within the framework of the program, workshops were held for participants, in which about 70 people took part. During the workshops, they learned which Google resources can be used in their projects and how to use them.

Speakers were:

• Shokhruh Alimov (CTO Beelab, Beeline)
• Askar Aituov (Central Asia Manager, Google)
• Nuruddin Iminohunov (representative of GDG Uzbekistan)
• Sardor Islomov (developer, Super Dispatch)
• Jaloliddin Esonboev (designer at GDG Uzbekistan)
• Maftuna Lutfilaeva (designer at GDG Uzbekistan)

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers and discuss their ideas.

Also, as part of the preparatory program, design sessions were held by leading experts from the GDG. The students were able to gain valuable knowledge and skills in the field of design and visualization of their projects. The sessions gave them the opportunity to better understand how to present their ideas in order to attract the attention of experts and the jury of the competition.

Several participants shared their impressions of the sessions:

• Malika Rakhimova

“It was very interactive and interesting. The speeches of the speakers were very useful, for myself I identified several effective tools for working on the idea.”

• Rarra Muminova

“The workshop was very well organized. I especially remember when we split into groups and pitched our projects. By example, each of us learned to do it right. The most valuable information for me was information about all stages of projects and how to get to Google acceleration. I was also glad to attend the design workshop where I met my future team.  The atmosphere is great, the networking went off with a bang!”

After a series of workshops, participants will have mentoring and feedback sessions, where they will be able to receive valuable advice and assistance in the implementation of their projects. Participation in the preparation program for the Solution Challenge contest was free, but required pre-registration.

Recall that the preparatory program was launched to help projects from Uzbekistan reach the top 10 Solution Challenge finalists around the world.  It includes workshops, mentor sessions and feedback sessions.

Events within the program started at the end of February, and applications for the Solution Challenge will be available from March 17 to March 31, 2023.