Laylo Yakhshiboeva, a professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the Tashkent State University of Economics, recently completed a transformative semester as a visiting scholar at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), bridging cultures and fostering innovation.
Hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Mizzou’s Trulaske College of Business, Yakhshiboeva spent the spring 2025 semester immersed in American academic life. She engaged in coursework, mentored students, and introduced Uzbek perspectives on entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
Selected from over 700 candidates through the Faculty Enrichment Program—jointly run by the American Council and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Higher Education—Yakhshiboeva described her stay as eye-opening.
“America is a totally different culture from other places I’ve visited,” she said. “But that diversity of thought is where creativity thrives. Our values are the same because we are human.”
During her time at Mizzou, which ended on May 19, she:
- Presented on Uzbek culture and entrepreneurship during International Week;
- Audited classes in design thinking, entrepreneurship, business, and strategic communication;
- Co-hosted a sustainability workshop using the En-roads simulator and became a certified Climate Ambassador;
- Shared her business idea at 1 Million Cups, a local entrepreneurial forum;
- Presented research on rural economic development in Uzbekistan at a major entrepreneurship conference in California.
Scott Christianson, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, praised her contribution.
“Laylo’s visit brought fresh ideas and perspectives that energized our students, faculty, and community partners,” he said. “It deepened our global engagement and helped connect us with Central Asian innovation.”
One highlight of the semester was her collaboration with Mizzou Associate Professor Stacie Kane, an entrepreneur known for her line of washable, sustainable bags. Inspired by the opportunity, Yakhshiboeva contributed brightly embroidered Uzbek fabrics, merging cultural aesthetics with Kane’s sustainable designs.
Their collaboration has not only created a new product line but also sparked plans for socially conscious manufacturing through women-led workshops in rural Uzbekistan.
“Some women in those regions are widows or have young children and limited job access,” Yakhshiboeva said. “Involving them in production could empower them economically.”
Kane echoed the impact of the partnership. “It’s more than a product—it’s about empowering women and doing good for the planet,” she said. “Our connection was instant, and I know this will be a long-term collaboration.”
The duo showcased their work at Mizzou’s Culture Couture fashion show earlier this year, symbolizing how cultural exchange and entrepreneurship can go hand-in-hand.
Reflecting on her experience, Yakhshiboeva noted that her impressions of the U.S.—once shaped by media—shifted dramatically. She praised Mizzou students for being respectful, inquisitive, and unafraid to voice ideas.
“In American culture, people don’t criticize your ideas—they encourage them,” she said. “That’s why the U.S. leads in innovation. I want to take that spirit of experimentation back to Uzbekistan.”
As the first entrepreneurship fellow hosted by Mizzou’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Yakhshiboeva’s visit was viewed as a successful pilot.
“Laylo’s semester was very much a pilot — and a resounding success,” Christianson said. “Seeing how quickly her presence amplified our courses, research collaborations and community outreach convinced me that visiting scholars can be a high‑impact, low‑cost addition to our program portfolio.
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