A one-day seminar was organized for the project participants, who presented their projects, shared their experience, established professional contacts and held discussions on new teaching techniques.

Upon completion of the seminar the participants were invited to the Center of National Arts to attend a gala concert as part of Bolajonlar-Shirintoylar (Candy Kids) Festival of Children’s Fashion, which presented a series of colourful collections.

After the fashion show the author of the project Gulnara Karimova awarded the winners and thanked them for their contribution to educational efforts. Teachers play a crucial role in the upbringing of children by sharing with them knowledge and skills, helping them choose a path in life and supporting them. Very often our teachers are the ones who have helped us to reach our professional and personal goals. Feruza Rashidova, Director of Academic Lyceum №2 at the Uzbek State University of World Languages (Tashkent):

This is the first time I have participated in this programme and I am delighted to be one of the winners. I devised a project titled “Description of Uzbek traditions in different languages”. As you know, interest in Uzbek national traditions and customs has surged, including thanks to the efforts of the Fund Forum. Therefore, through my project I have proposed a publication of books and creation of a website in Russian, Uzbek, English, French and Spanish which would provide a description and explanation of the essence of Uzbek national traditions and customs. I am thankful to the organizers for giving so much attention to teachers.

Natalya Turuntayeva, a teacher of English, School № 260 (Tashkent):

This is my first participation in the Pedagogical Grants Programme. I teach English to junior classes. In my project I propose the development of tailored teaching methods for studying English. As is known, the earlier we start teaching a foreign language to kids, the better they master the subtleties of the language. Our school boasts true professionals, people with strong commitments to their jobs. I would be happy to share with my colleagues my impressions I have drawn from participating in the training sessions organized for teachers under the Programme launched by the Fund Forum. The Programme has been instrumental in not only helping us to implement our projects; it has also been an opportunity to meet teachers from other schools in Tashkent and other regions and to swap experience. I would like to express my thanks to all the organizers of the Pedagogical Grant Programme. As teachers we feel a significant amount of support because this kind of programmes helps us believe in what we are doing.

Elshod Hafizov, a teacher at Tashkent State Economic University:

In the project which made me a winner I propose special designing and control for students with the use of information technologies. According to my project the educational process should go in an interactive form involving the students themselves. The Educational Grants Programme is well organized. I have felt that the participants and the organizers are committed to what they do. At our university I am planning to give an open lesson during which I want to talk about the Fund Forum’s activities and programmes for students and teachers. I want to thank the organizers of the Programme. Support of this kind is crucial for all teachers.