One of the urgent tasks of modern times is a deep understanding of the processes taking place in the context of globalization, their analysis from the perspective of national interests and values, and the effective integration of their positive aspects into the lives of young people. For this, it is necessary to strengthen the national idea and ideology, to cultivate in the younger generation a sense of patriotism, national identity, and respect for universal human values. Considering that about 30% of the country’s population consists of young men and women aged 14 to 30, youth issues are rightly regarded as one of the priority directions of state policy.

  In our country, special attention is paid to education, upbringing, spiritual development, and the comprehensive advancement of young people. One of the most important directions of reforms in Uzbekistan is the upbringing of a new generation as initiative-driven, patriotic individuals with modern knowledge, professional skills, and a high level of spirituality. The “New Uzbekistan Development Strategy,” proposed by the President, also emphasizes the need to develop the intellectual potential of youth and to involve them widely in science, innovation, and digital technologies.

  On March 19, 2019, under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a videoconference meeting was held dedicated to youth issues. At this meeting, tasks were discussed regarding the involvement of young people in culture, art, physical education, and sports, the development of skills for effective use of information and communication technologies, the promotion of reading culture, and ensuring women’s employment. During the meeting, the head of state put forward five important initiatives aimed at raising spiritual and educational work to a new level:

• The first initiative is to develop young people’s interest in music, painting, literature, theater, and other forms of art, and to help reveal their talents.
• The second initiative is to create conditions for physical education, regular sports activities, and the demonstration of abilities.
• The third initiative is to foster a culture of effective and purposeful use of computer technologies and the internet.
• The fourth initiative is to enhance the spirituality of youth, widely promote the culture of reading, and develop traditions of book appreciation.
• The fifth initiative is to ensure women’s employment, increase their social activity, and strengthen their role in society.

  Today, in the higher education system, special attention is paid to the introduction of digital technologies, the use of artificial intelligence, the development of distance learning, the support of scientific research activities, and the expansion of international cooperation. These directions contribute to the development of students’ professional competencies, the acquisition of modern knowledge and skills, and the formation of competitive specialists in the international labor market.

  In addition, the priority tasks of spiritual and educational work include promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people, preventing harmful habits, raising ecological culture, fostering intolerance towards corruption, supporting the principles of gender equality, developing volunteer movements, and encouraging active participation of students in social projects. In medical universities, along with the development of students’ professional competencies, it is of great importance to instill adherence to the principles of medical ethics and deontology, humanism, professional responsibility, communication culture, and teamwork skills. Cultivating compassion for patients, high professional culture, scientific thinking, and striving for continuous professional development among future doctors is an integral part of spiritual and educational activities.

  Based on these tasks, one of the priority directions of the teaching staff of the Department of Phthisiology is the organization of spiritual and educational work aimed not only at imparting solid professional knowledge but also at fostering moral qualities, civic responsibility, patriotism, and a modern worldview among students, in accordance with national values and the demands of the time.  

  At the department, spiritual and educational work is carried out systematically on the basis of recommendations from the University’s Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment and the approved annual plan. This activity is coordinated by responsible faculty members and implemented in the following directions: familiarizing students with the works and speeches of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev, as well as with laws, decrees, and resolutions adopted by the Oliy Majlis and the Cabinet of Ministers; organizing events aimed at educating a harmoniously developed generation and forming the worldview of youth based on universal, national, and spiritual values; widely promoting the essence of ongoing reforms and state programs; fostering a culture of healthy living, medical awareness, and preventive thinking among students; raising political and legal culture, civic position, and social responsibility; timely informing students about socio-political, scientific, and cultural events taking place in the country and the world; strengthening a healthy spiritual and psychological atmosphere in the student community; organizing meaningful leisure activities, developing scientific, creative, sports, and cultural clubs, and ensuring active student participation; regularly holding scientific seminars, discussions, reading events, hours of spirituality, meetings, volunteer and social projects; and instilling in students adherence to the principles of medical ethics and deontology, humanism, and responsibility.

  As a result of this spiritual and educational activity, students become not only highly qualified specialists but also individuals with a high level of spirituality, broad worldview, loyalty to the Motherland, modern thinking, and a deep awareness of their professional and civic responsibility.