Chapter I introduction to higher education system

Curriculum
The continuity and the linkage among general secondary, specialised secondary, vocational and Higher Education are important aspects of higher education quality. In 2015 the State Educational Standards (SES) were updated for all Bachelor fields and specialities at a Master level. The quality of Higher Education is assured by the State Educational Standards, which set the minimum requirements for each educational level, describe the main features, structure, content and implementation of curricula, ensure the quality control of personnel training and set the compulsory (core) components (the list of academic
subjects).
The curriculum is approved both at the national and institutional levels. The educational process in higher
educational institutions is carried out in line with the SES and is regulated by the curricula and academic timetable. However, a higher educational establishment is granted a right to change up to 5% of hours between the lines for various discipline units, while inside a discipline unit – up to 10%, while preserving weekly load unchanged.
The languages of instruction in public HEIs are Uzbek and the Russian. In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the languages of instruction are Karakalpak, Uzbek and Russian.
Education at the Bachelor level in the majority of public universities and institutes lasts 4 years, with the exception of the medical specialities, where the Bachelor level education may last for 5-7 years.
Education at the international HEIs is provided either in Russian or in English languages. Overseas HEIs use their own curricula.


Teaching Methods
HEIs use the following teaching approaches: lectures, practical trainings, seminars and laboratory works.
The lectures are conducted for large numbers of students (up to 150 students). Practical trainings and seminars are organised for groups of 25 students. Laboratory works and foreign language classes are used for academic groups, with one group divided into two sub-groups of 10-15 people each.
Modern Higher Education uses a wide range of interactive teaching methods and innovation technologies in the education process of the HEIs (computer simulations, business games, case studies and others).
Lectures for groups of students shall not exceed 50% of the total number of the contact hours.
Independent work should cover no less than 25% of the total student workload. Maximum student workload should not exceed 54 hours per week, including all types of classroom (contact) and out-ofclass (independent) education activities.
The State Educational Standards recommend various teaching methods and techniques in the education process: interactive education methods, problem solving technique, game-based techniques, pedagogical strategies for the development of critical thinking, learner-centered education technologies,
education technologies based on the effective organization and management of the education process, differential training, individualization of education, programmed learning technologies, integrated teaching methods and others.
Teachers have the right to choose their teaching methodology and technique. The list of the main training materials for the compulsory disciplines is recommended by a programme, developed by the leading HEIs together with other HEIs and approved by MHSSE.