Idea author and founder

Firdavs Abdukhalikov is a media manager, honored journalist of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A graduate of the Faculty of Philology of Samarkand State University, Firdavs Abdukhalikov is the founder of the first non-state television and radio company and entertainment and information newspaper in Uzbekistan.

In March 1991, the first television program was broadcast in Samarkand on the independent TV channel STV, in 1996, the editorial office of the newspaper “Darakchi” was opened at the channel, which later became the publication with the largest circulation in Uzbekistan, and in 2000, STV began broadcasting in Samarkand on the FM 104.5 radio wave.

These achievements attracted the attention of the public and the leadership of the Republic. In 1998, Abdukhalikov was appointed deputy chairman of the Uzteleradiocompany, and in 1999 he was elected to the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the second convocation, where he became chairman of the commission on youth affairs and chief consultant to the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

Despite active political and social activities, Firdavs Abdukhalikov continued to work as a media manager. In 2002, he used his acquired experience to create Radio Poytakht. A year later, to form a civilized broadcasting market in the country, Abdukhalikov organized NAEMM, whose members became over a hundred independent editorial offices. In 2006, Firdavs Fridunovich founded the news agency “Uzbekistan Today”, which became the first in Uzbekistan to publish newspapers in English, which were distributed in 45 countries around the world and became a real information mouthpiece of Uzbekistan abroad.

In 2014, Abdukhalikov launched a national youth entertainment and educational television channel, Mening Yurtim 5, which was warmly received by viewers and popularly called by the abbreviation MY5. The channel is still one of the most popular TV channels in Uzbekistan.

In 2016, Abdukhalikov became the author of the project “Press Club: Elections-2016” - one of the main information platforms on the eve of the presidential elections in Uzbekistan. Later, in 2017, Abdukhalikov founded the Sevimli TV channel, which turned out to be the most successful TV channel on the airwaves in Uzbekistan today.

At the same time, Firdavs Abdukhalikov is engaged in scientific activities. In 2007, he acquired an economics degree, and in 2023 received a Doctor of Philosophy of Arts degree. Since 2017, Abdukhalikov has been the chairman of the board of the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan; his portfolio includes dozens of books and scientific articles.

Since 2014, Firdavs Abdukhalikov has been acting as a film producer. He took part in the preparation of over ten documentary projects aimed at increasing the tourist attractiveness of Uzbekistan, as well as films of a scientific and educational nature. Since 2019, Abdukhalikov has headed the Republic Cinematography Agency. Since 2002, he has been the chairman of the International Creative Association of Film Studios of the CIS countries and Georgia, and since 2023, the president of the Union of Cinematographers of the Turkic World (TÜRKFILM).

Due to his significant experience in the scientific field, by the government decree of June 5, 2024, Firdavs Abdukhalikov was appointed head of the Center for Islamic Civilization. His main tasks were to develop the concept, create content and fully launch the Center as one of the leading research complexes in the country. As part of these goals, events were organized to attract expert opinions and implement scientific initiatives, including the Forum of National Scientists, the IX International WOSCU Congress and the International Cultural Heritage Week.