Interview with Professor Dilfuza Dzhurakulova, Dean of the Faculty of History, Samarkand State University

- The path of science is not without difficulties. What or who made you choose this path?

  - My father, Mavlon Dzhurakulov, is the main reason why I chose this field. I consider my father my first teacher. When my father worked at the history department, he often took me to work with him. Since then, I participated with my father in archaeological expeditions. This is where my interest in history, in particular archeology, began. So I entered the Faculty of History.

      My uncle was a soldier. I was very jealous of this man. Later, this hobby grew into an interest. Despite the fact that I studied in the field of history, the dream of studying in the field of law flashed in the corner of my heart. Then I tried to fulfill this dream. In 2000, she entered the Faculty of Law in the second specialty and graduated with honors. But it was not possible to work with this diploma. One way or another, we are destined to be on the field of history...

      When I was young, the field of archeology seemed very easy. I used to think that archeology was just about digging up fossils and looking for interesting historical things. But then, having got into this sphere, I learned that the most important thing is not just to dig up, but to be able to make the find “speak” before history.

      I started my career at the Faculty of History in my student years as a laboratory assistant at the Department of the History of the Peoples of Uzbekistan. I have learned a lot, both studying and working. Later I worked as an assistant at the Department of Archeology. In parallel, I continued my studies in graduate school. In 2009 he defended his Ph.D. thesis on the topic “Culture of the primitive tribes of the Stone and Bronze Ages of the Zarafshan Valley”.

      Finding secret stories, “telling” them, creating the history of the Motherland is a difficult task. Only dedicated women can choose this area. There are few women in the field of archeology. On expeditions that last for months, one has to walk far from family and a warm home. I can proudly say that Samarkand State University employs enthusiastic scientists and teachers who have dedicated their lives to this field. One of them is Professor Nonna Avanesova.

- They say it's hard to be a scientist. Woman-mother-scientist-leader... you are a person who combines these four qualities. How well do you think you are doing?

- They talk a lot about the role of women in the family and society. It is necessary to show the image of a real activist and leader, and not talk about it.

      To be a leader, first of all, you need toughness. You also need to know how to say "no" when the time comes. In this sense, I cannot judge what kind of leader I am. You must ask others. But I have strictness. However, leadership is different. The leader is in the center of everyone's attention, he is an example for everyone.

      I have always tried to be a good mother and a good woman for my family and children. I am the mother of three sons. Raising a boy requires rigor. Perhaps that is why I have a sharpness in character. But despite the fact that I am a strict mother, each of my sons considers me a confidant and friend.

      My eldest son Shokhrukh Dzhurakulov left the economic sphere. Currently, he is the Dean of the Faculty of Human Resources Management. My second son is a historian, following in the footsteps of his grandfather in the field of archaeology. The youngest is in medicine. Thank God, each of my children found their place in life.

- Вы когда-нибудь сожалели о выбранной сфере?

- Many people know that science is a difficult path. But for a person, a favorite field or job never seems difficult. Every burden of my favorite profession is replaced by pleasure for me.

      Although I have worked in various positions during my career, I consider myself first and foremost a teacher. The first fruit of the teacher-scientist for society is his students, and then his books, his knowledge. I started my career as an educator and will continue to be an educator until the end. Since 2012, I have been working as the head of the Department of Archeology for 6 years. Since 2018, I have been working as the dean of the Faculty of History.

      I always try to be a fair leader. Because a leader must be able to fairly assess any situation, be able to follow the right path, be able to balance on the scales. Of course, team members are also very important. The team and the leader are like a ship on the sea. The captain must think not only of himself, but of everyone on the ship.

      A person working at a certain job spends an average of 8-10 hours a day at work. Imagine, after working together for so long and working together every day, this team will definitely become a family. The team is a family. The success of one person is the success of the whole team. This team is my support in my work, my shoulder and support.

      When I started my managerial career, I was faced with the task of raising the scientific potential of the faculty to a higher level. Together with the staff of the Faculty of History, we have worked tirelessly until today to bring the faculty's potential from 23-25 percent to 70 percent. It is expected to reach 75% in 2023. Of course, the attention paid to the quality of education imposes a great responsibility on us. Now in this regard, our main goal is to develop not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively.

      - Who is your ideal person in life and work?

      - My father, Professor Mavlon Dzhurakulov, is a person whom I always try to imitate and learn in this life. My father has always been an example for me and my children in work, family life and humanity. My father devoted his whole life to science and to this university. Despite the fact that he worked in responsible positions, he was a very modest person. He cared about others more than himself and always tried to do good. He was a selfless person who did not stop thinking about the university even after the end of his leadership career.

- What results were recorded at the faculty in 2022?

      - Now our main goal is to expand the faculty's ties with prestigious international universities. Currently, relations have been established with a number of international universities. Joint expeditions between the Italian University of Bologna and the Department of Archeology continue. In addition, effective cooperation relations are being established with Ankara University. Yildirim Bayezid in Turkey, Bamberg and Berlin Free Universities in Germany. Also, the staff of the department conducts scientific research together with Japanese and Polish archaeologists.

      In addition, we continue to work to attract professors and teachers from the top 1000 universities in the world. Professors and lecturers from such universities as Moscow State University, Kazan Federal University, Dongkuk from South Korea were involved. Today they train students and researchers. Our researchers are engaged in scientific research at universities in countries such as Russia, Spain, Turkey. Moreover, foreign professors working at the Faculty of History of Samarkand State University are currently working on behalf of Samarkand State University in prestigious universities around the world. For example, Prof. Yoon Myung from South Korea is currently lecturing at Yale University, one of the top 10 American universities, under the name of Prof. SamDU. University professor Alisher Begmatov is also a professor at New York University, USA. Separately, it should be noted the achievements of students of the Faculty of History in the natural sciences. Among our students there are participants in science olympiads, holders of well-known state scholarships. Also, some ambitious young people achieve high results in the field of sports.

- What did you give up to reach the current level?

- In a sense, there were times when I refused the time that I had to devote to the family.

- If you had to describe your past life in a picture, what colors would it be?

- White, green and red.

- Your plans for the future...

- The full performance of their duties as the dean of the faculty is always one of our main tasks. At the same time, I have a goal to get the academic title of professor.

Interview with Iroda Bekmurodova
Information service officer of   
Samarkand State University.