On March 27–28, Central Asian University (CAU) will host one of the largest technology events in the region - CAU Tech Hackathon 2026 and Global Tech Summit 2026, featuring a total prize pool of $38,000.
The events will bring together more than 1,200 participants, over 300 teams, and representatives from 17 countries, including more than 200 universities and educational institutions.
CAU is building an annual international arena for engineers, developers, and technology leaders - a space where ideas are tested under real pressure and talent is validated through practical execution.
Global Tech Summit 2026 will serve as a strategic dialogue platform uniting universities, technology companies, investors, and government representatives. Key discussions will focus on building sustainable AI infrastructure in the region, technology regulation, digital sovereignty, and human capital development in the age of artificial intelligence.
CAU Tech Hackathon 2026 will be held across three tracks: AI in Healthcare, Cybersecurity CTF, and Robotics Challenge. The AI in Healthcare and Cybersecurity tracks are designed for university students and will bring together 228 teams — more than 900 students from 17 countries.
Participants represent universities from Uzbekistan, India, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Russia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Türkiye, the Philippines, Tajikistan, the UAE, Sri Lanka, the Republic of Korea, and the United States. This is about real cases, real deadlines, and defending solutions before an international jury. Here, execution matters more than theory.
The Robotics Challenge, designed for Grade 10–11 students, will unite 73 teams from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The competition will take place at the CAU campus in two engineering categories - Mini Sumo and Line Following.
Mini Sumo is a competition format involving autonomous robots that must detect their opponent within the ring and push it out of bounds without remote control, relying entirely on sensors, navigation algorithms, and strategic behavior.
Line Following is a mobile robotics programming competition in which robots must accurately and quickly navigate a complex track by following a predefined line, using recognition systems, sensor calibration, and motion optimization.
Both categories aim to develop algorithmic thinking, mechatronics, programming, and engineering design skills under real competitive pressure.
More than 50 mentors, industry experts, and technology specialists from various countries will participate in the hackathon and summit. The international jury and speakers represent academic, corporate, and research institutions, ensuring objective project evaluation aligned with global standards.
Projects will be evaluated by leading global experts, including Dr. Amir Sharafkhaneh (USA), Prof. Vincent Wilczynski of Yale University (USA), and Nadine Kotb (Cisco Networking Academy, Egypt) — reflecting the high international status of the event.
Global Tech Summit 2026 will be held under the theme: “AI Beyond Hype: Real Technologies, Real Solutions.”
The summit will bring together experts in AI infrastructure, robotics, digital transformation, technology diplomacy, AI regulation, and venture investment. The program includes thematic sessions and an international panel discussion on digital sovereignty in Central Asia.
A special and exclusive guest of CAU Tech Summit 2026, appearing in Uzbekistan for the first time, will be Sebastian Thrun - Professor at Stanford University, founder of Udacity, and co-founder of Google X, widely recognized as a pioneer in autonomous technologies and modern AI-driven education models.
The organization of CAU Tech Hackathon 2026 is part of Central Asian University’s long-term strategy to advance applied artificial intelligence, engineering, and digital technologies in both educational and clinical environments. The university systematically integrates AI into medical programs, engineering disciplines, and research initiatives, building an ecosystem where education, science, and industry operate within a unified framework of practical technological implementation.
CAU Tech Hackathon and Global Tech Summit 2026 are shaping a new technological ecosystem for the region by bringing together school students, university students, researchers, and industry representatives. These events go beyond a competition and a conference — they lay the foundation for a new technological architecture in Central Asia.
They are designed to foster practical skills, develop competitive AI solutions, strengthen cybersecurity, and systematically engage youth in engineering and IT fields — cultivating a new generation of specialists capable of delivering world-class solutions and strengthening the region’s position in the global digital economy.
About Central Asian University (CAU)
Founded in 2019 in Uzbekistan, Central Asian University is one of the country’s most dynamically developing private universities. It offers internationally oriented programs in medicine, dentistry, business, architecture and design, engineering, tourism and hospitality, and other high-demand fields.
With a modern campus, internationally experienced faculty, and a strong emphasis on practice-oriented education, CAU is an attractive choice for students from around the world.
Central Asian University is ranked among the Top 1000 universities worldwide in the Round University Ranking 2025, debuted in THE Impact Rankings 2025, was recognized as the Most Innovative University of Uzbekistan 2024 by the Science and Innovation Awards, and was named the First Young University of Uzbekistan 2025 by AD Scientific Index.
CAU has also received a 4-Star rating from QS Stars, becoming the only private university in Uzbekistan to achieve this level of international recognition. In 2025, Central Asian University was recognized as the Best Non-State Higher Education Institution by the Science and Innovation Awards.
The university actively develops strategic international partnerships and implements joint academic and research projects with institutions in Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and other countries. Through its innovative educational model and global collaboration focus, CAU continues to strengthen its position as a leading higher education institution in the region.
