It is reckoned that Alisher Navoi Samarqand State University was established in 1927. However, there are historians proving that the university has even deeper roots, originating from the time of creation of the observatory and madrasah of Mirzo Ulughbek. Yet, estimations of specialists coincide in that today this university is one of the strongest state universities.

Among tutors and students of the university there are many those who gained high results in the world science. When the article was in the process of writing, the university received the letter from the World Bibliographic Center in Oxford, informing about the promotion of the former student of the university, now Professor and head of the scientific laboratory Molecular Luminescence at the Samarqand State University Nighmat Nizamov to candidates for the right to be selected by the international jury as one of a hundred top-engineers of 2012.

Eleven departments of the university have their scientific leaders. 68 academic groups, 12 scientific-creative clubs and club of young philologists Shalola operating in the university could serve the illustration of it. The university also publishes three magazines Samarqand Davlat Universiteti Tadqiqotlar Akhborotnomasi (Research Works Herald of the Samarqand State University), Issledovaniya Odaryonnyh Studentov (Research Works by Talented Students) and Issledovaniya Magistrov (Research Works by Postgraduates) for that all those willing could represent their scientific ideas. To the initiative of the university up to 10 republican and international conferences are held annually.

“To a large extent this is a result of that in the university fundamental science and learning process are inseparable,” underscored the vice rector Mumin Qodirov. “Diverse scientific researchers conducted in the university has one goal – upbringing creative youth and prepare highly qualified cadres.”

The university runs a distinctive zoology museum containing more than five thousand exhibits that represent rare and extinct animals of all continents. There is also a botanic greenhouse, with collection of tropical and subtropical plants, that is valuable not only for its depository, but it is a model of power efficient social object.

The exposition of the archeological museum indicates the power of the university as the leading center for history study. The work is in full swing in ten scientific laboratories of this higher education institution. And, everywhere within the university you can see scholars in accompany of students, future fellows and tutors. For instance, a laboratory of nuclear physics. Until recently microtron MT-22C was the main device with the help of which all scientific discoveries have been made. Six years ago, optical telescope was installed in the lab under the assistance of the Institute of Astronomy of the Academy of Sciences, as well as observatory created. This year, it is expected the delivery of new equipment for refurbishing of this lab.

By the means of MT-22C there have been conducted not a few researches in field of nuclear and radiation physics, microbiology and radiation pollution of soils. One Doctoral and six Candidate’s theses have been defended on the results of these research works. Six postgraduates, two trainee-researchers and three key fellows are getting prepared for defense. By the means of this installation the academician Tolib Muminov and Candidates of Sciences of Physics and Mathematics Askar Safarov for the first time has proved experimentally the phenomenon of spectacular reflection of electromagnetic radiation up to 1 megawatt energies.

There are discoveries concerning telescopes. In 2007, the observatory scholars together with the Institute of Astronomy of the Academy of Sciences explored new double star that was included in the international catalog of stars. For the last several years the observatory has become the scientific training platform for not only students of higher educational institutions, but for students of colleges and academic lyceums.

This year the university expands its laboratory base. Rector of the university Ulughbek Tashkentbaev dwells upon the details: “Works on creation of problem laboratories on ecology issues are in full swing. It is organized within the reorganization of the Complex Scientific-Research Institute of the Samarqand branch of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. During the implementation of the Program on Consolidation of Economic and Technical Capacities of Higher Education Institutions and Cardinal Improvement in Training Highly Qualified Specialists we are creating a scientific lab for synthesis of materials of microelectronics. There our physicists will synthesize materials for solar power engineering and related directions of modern electronics with application of nanotechnologies. Besides, it is planned the refurbishment of all scientific and training laboratories of the university.

About facts from life of the Samarqand State University is possible to tell with using the definitions ‘first’ and ‘for the first time.’ Among others, I would like to focus on one fact. In 2000, the university was the first higher education in Uzbekistan that connected all its blocks with high-speed fiber-optic communication and started creating its electronic library. Thus, other more thousand unique and in-demand books from the richest library fund of the university are to get their new versions in digitalized form.

Constantly replenishing funds of the library of the Samarqand State University is the theme for another article. Only in the section of the eastern manuscripts there are more than 10 thousand eastern manuscripts and lithographic editions in Tajik-Persian, Turk-Uzbek, Arabic and other languages published in the period between the 13th and 20th century. The section also stores the works of outstanding historians including Ravzatu-s-Safo by Khondamir and Mirkhond, Rashakhot Aynul Hayot, Temurnoma, and Tarihi Kasira by Ali Safi. No less interesting also the fund of rare books that were published up to 1900 and reaching 24, 5 thousand items of literature in Russian and other languages. Among the most interesting: History of Art of All Times and Peoples by K. Verman, Report on Journey to Central Asia for the Scientific Purpose by A. Bartold (1983-1894).” (Source: Uzbekistan Today Newspaper)