Affordable learning, global impact: How 42.uz is changing education in Uzbekistan

Azim Polat, a software engineer at Google and founder of the 42.uz project, is making headlines for his efforts to make quality education as affordable as a meal. With seven years of programming experience and stints at Amazon and Facebook, Azim Polat is leveraging his expertise to introduce innovative educational solutions to Uzbekistan's technology landscape.

From struggles to solutions

Azim Polat's journey into programming wasn’t without challenges. Reflecting on his early struggles, he recalled being deterred by the high cost of courses. “When I first decided to learn programming, a training center quoted us an exorbitant fee. It felt like programming was out of reach,” he said. This motivated him to create 42.uz, a platform offering programming courses at just 240,000 UZS – the price of two meals. The courses, designed to be completed in 42 days, include automated assessments and personalized learning paths.

He likened his personal growth to problem optimization in programming. “Throughout life, I’ve faced the question: Can we achieve our goals without significant financial resources? The answer is a resounding ‘yes,’” he said. His experiences, from winning a Hackathon to attending global conferences, reaffirmed that financial limitations don’t have to hinder success.

Education for all: The 42.uz project

The 42.uz platform is a haven for aspiring programmers, featuring courses on algorithms, graphic design, and product development. Azim Polat collaborates with experts like Otabek Nurmatov (Dropbox), Diyorbek Sadullayev (Pinterest), and Nodir Khalilov (Super Dispatch) to deliver high-quality instruction in Uzbek. “Our system is modeled after Google’s Professional Certificate Program but tailored for the local audience,” he noted.

The platform’s flexibility allows learners to access materials in text, video, or task-based formats. Additionally, 42.uz offers guidance on CV preparation and job applications for top tech companies, ensuring students are job-ready.

Digitizing school curriculums

Azim Polat’s ambitions extend beyond teaching programming. His team plans to digitize textbooks for grades 5–11 by 2025, supplementing traditional learning with a mobile app. The app aims to engage children by gamifying learning, offering rewards to encourage consistent effort.

“We need to reward kids for every step they take in learning,” said Azim Polat, emphasizing the importance of motivation. Parents will also have access to detailed statistics about their children's progress.

Social impact and future goals

Azim Polat envisions these initiatives as social projects, reinvesting profits into student incentives. “Education is most impactful during childhood, and we aim to make learning both accessible and enjoyable,” he said. His efforts have already earned him Uzbekistan’s prestigious Oʻzbekiston Belgisi award.