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Our FabLab at the Center for Youth Initiatives is the first FabLab in Uzbekistan to take part in the global FabLab network.
Ideology of FabLabs was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, which has already enabled the creation of over 2000 (fab)laboratories around the world, in over 120 countries.
Apart from all other benefits and digital fabrication courses, we will soon be able to offer to you the most advance digital fabrication course Fab Academy developed by the specialists from MIT. You will be able to experience MIT level training program directly from Uzbekistan.
Our FabLab emerges as a beacon of innovation and inventive creativity within Uzbekistan's burgeoning technological landscape. FabLabs, or fabrication laboratories, represent a global movement to democratize access to the tools for personal and community invention. They offer a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, to invent. The mission of the FabLab at the Center is no different. It aims to empower local students, inventors, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists by providing tools and knowledge which enable to bring ideas to life. Our FabLab adheres to the core mission of democratizing access to the tools for technical invention. It stands as a testament to the local commitment to embrace digital revolution and to foster a culture of makers and innovators. Our FabLab plans to work in close collaboration with other FabLabs across the world. Our belief is that through continuous international cross-cultural multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, ideas, and innovations, best practices can be provided to our students.
Our FabLab is equipped with some of the most advanced technologies from Canada, Denmark, Japan, Czech Republic and China. It includes 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters and fraser CNC machines, vinyl cutters and various hand tools, which enable users to bring their digital designs into the physical realm. These facilities will provide individuals with the means to create virtual and physical prototypes, and experiment with various materials and projects. Our FabLab aims to be a space for learning, where people from diverse backgrounds converge to share knowledge and solve problems.
More DetailsEducation is a cornerstone of the FabLab's mission. By introducing students and the community to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through hands-on experience, the lab will nurture a growing interest in these critical fields. Workshops and courses will range from basic introductions to technology to advanced classes in computer aided design, virtual prototyping, reverse engineering, robotics, programming, and material science. This kind of environment encourages problem-solving skills and critical thinking, which are essential for the workforce of the future. This educational aspect is crucial, as it nurtures a skilled workforce that is equipped for the challenges of the 21st-century economy.
FabLab is a vibrant community space that embodies the spirit of 'Do It Yourself' and 'Do It Together'. It aims to provide resources and environment necessary for start-ups and entrepreneurs to thrive. A space where they will be able to prototype their products cost-effectively and efficiently, reducing time from concept to market. This not only stimulates economic growth but also positions Uzbekistan as a player in the global innovation ecosystem.
Our FabLab also aims to encourage collaborative projects and community-driven innovation, which are pivotal for the growth of a sustainable and self-sufficient local economy. Through its collaborative environment, it aims to foster a culture where knowledge is openly shared, and collective problem-solving is the norm. This ethos ensures that innovations developed within the walls of our FabLab can be replicated and built upon elsewhere, spreading the benefits of each creation all around and far beyond Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, our space is committed to inclusivity, ensuring that its doors are open to all, regardless of age, gender, or technical background. It embodies a future where anyone can dream up and fabricate their innovations, contributing to the diversity of ideas and inventions being developed.
Challenges such as access to resources, funding, and technological education remain, but the establishment of our FabLab could signify a significant stride towards overcoming these barriers. It is an environment where the technology of tomorrow is being shaped by the hands of today's dreamers and doers. By prioritizing education, community, and innovation, FabLab Tashkent is not just equipping individuals with tools but is actively participating in shaping the future of Uzbekistan's economy and its role in the global market. By involving the local community as users who directly influence design outcomes, and providing them with the tools to become makers, our FabLab aims to embody the dialogue between designer, maker, and user.
The idea is to celebrate and explore the impact of design in our daily lives and how it is influenced by and adapts to the needs and feedback of users and the skills of makers. At our FabLab, this concept will be brought to life within its community-oriented innovation space. Here, designers are the creative thinkers who conceptualize new products or solutions. They are often the users themselves or closely in tune with the needs and desires of the user community. The makers in the FabLab context are those who utilize the lab's tools and resources to turn designs into tangible prototypes or products—whether they are 3D-printed objects, laser-cut materials, or electronically powered devices. Users in the FabLab environment are both the creators and the end consumers. They interact with the designs directly, tweaking and modifying them according to their needs, which in turn informs the design process, creating a continuous feedback loop that refines the products or solutions.
The mission of our FabLab aligns with this concept by emphasizing the importance of this triadic relationship. It recognizes that revolutions in technology—such as digital fabrication tools provided by the FabLab— transform the way designs are conceived, produced and used.
Our FabLab aims to instil a sense of responsibility among its users to think about the lifecycle of their products. Through workshops on sustainable design and the use of recycled materials, the lab emphasizes the importance of eco-friendly manufacturing processes, aligning with global efforts to combat environmental degradation.
Thus, our FabLab aims to be a dynamic educational environment, an incubator for innovation, a community of collaboration, a pioneering force in Uzbekistan's technological advancement. It aims to reflect the country's vision of a future where innovation is commonplace and accessible to all. Our lab promises to play a central role in the country's journey towards a vibrant and innovative society, where the power of creation is in the hands of many, igniting a new era of progress and prosperity. Through its commitment to these principles, our FabLab aims to help shape a future where anyone can make almost anything, and where potential for positive change is limitless.
•To introduce and educate our youth on the use of tools such as 3D scanners and printers, laser cutters, electronics, and other equipment available at our FabLab. |
•To provide a holistic comprehensive digital manufacturing course to the youth of Uzbekistan developed by MIT specialists, Fab Academy. |
•To offer workshops and classes on computer aided design, virtual prototyping, reverse engineering and a variety of other advanced technologies that foster inventive creativity and enable the creation of solutions for problems of real sectors of the economy. |
•To provide, support and encourage students to access tools and equipment to then design and build their own projects and inventions. |
• To partner with schools and universities across the Republic to develop and deliver STEM curricula, and to establish more ‘makerspaces’ in the region. |
• To host a new, more advanced, level of competitions and events within and beyond our ‘makerspace’, to encourage students to be creative and innovative. |
• To create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, regardless of gender or background. In our region, women are underrepresented in STEM activities and inventive creativity. Therefore, our FabLab aims to ensure equal participation of the female youth of Uzbekistan in these activities. |
• To encourage professionals or beginners from various fields of practice to use our space to foster innovation. |
• To exchange knowledge and ideas with educators and researchers in order to update our teaching and working practices. |
• To collaborate with FabLabs across the world to learn and exchange ideas and practices, and to continuously update our knowledge and provide best practices to our FabLab students. |
Our FabLab will be open to the youth of Uzbekistan, and the society as a whole. Our aim is to welcome those who want to learn and make use of cutting-edge technology in our space:
who are creating innovative goods and services.
who want to learn and develop their projects.
who create innovative teaching and learning practices.
who want to use our FabLab to tackle local problems and enhance lives of regions and neighborhoods across our Republic.
Mission: To equip and empower the youth of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the most advanced world technologies which contribute to the development of the society as a whole and enable to solve practical problems of the real sector of the economy, while ensuring equal participation of female youth.
Vision: Makerspace for the youth to learn, create, and innovate, and to contribute to the sustainable development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Education: We believe that education is the key to a better future, and we are committed to providing our youth with access to the most advanced technologies and knowledge for digital fabrication.
Innovation: We aim to encourage inventive creativity to solve real-world problems.
Collaboration: We believe that collaboration is essential to success, and we aim to foster a culture of teamwork and cooperation in our Fab Lab.
Inclusion: We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and grow, and we are committed to ensuring that our Fab Lab is inclusive and welcoming for all youth, regardless of gender or background.
Below is the list of main equipment items at our FabLab. You may also find at our FabLab: various consumables, manual and electric hand tools, powerful graphics workstations.
FABLAB PERSONNEL AND THEIR BACKGROUND
Our FabLab is a part of an Innovative EdTech Hub, the Center for Youth Initiatives (‘the Center’). We have 4 team members who are working at the FabLab only. And around 20 team members at the Center, who are constantly exchanging knowledge and ideas among themselves. Our team managed to create a continuously evolving and collaborative ecosystem.
If you are interested and would like to enroll in the lab training courses, please follow the link below and fill out the form.