Higher education in Uzbekistan

Higher education in Uzbekistan

 

The higher education system in Uzbekistan

Recent policy updates, major reforms and related news

Relevant projects and initiatives

TAMs and SPHERE seminars in 2016 and 2017

Relevant links

 

The higher education system in Uzbekistan

The Uzbek higher education system consists of institutions, scientific and pedagogical establishments performing research work, and state body formations. According to the National Programme for Personnel Training, higher education builds on academic achievements of specialised secondary education (academic lyceum) and/or vocational education (vocational college) and includes two levels: Bachelor degree and Master degree.

The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education’s (MHSSE) responsibility is to organize the academic year, including the length of the semesters, examination periods and academic holidays.

The academic year starts on September 2nd and lasts until the end of June. It is divided into two semesters with holidays ranging from 10 to 12 weeks:

• 1st semester - from early September to late January;

• 2nd semester - from the beginning of February to the end of June, although the duration of the semester can vary depending on the status of the HEIs or on the study programme.

First level - Bachelor programme

This basic higher education provides fundamental knowledge in one of the branches of higher education for a minimum period of study of four years. Upon completion of the Bachelor programme, graduates are awarded Bachelor degree and a state diploma (in Uzbek: Bakalavr), which entitles them to start professional activity or to continue studies at Master level.

Second level - Master programme

This level of higher education provides knowledge in specific areas and lasts for at least two years after the Bachelor degree. Master programme graduates are awarded a state diploma (in Uzbek: Magistr), which entitles them to work in the relevant professional areas or to continue education in postgraduate education establishments.

More detailed information about the higher education system in Uzbekistan can be found in the country fiche on http://erasmusplus.uz/images/shared/countryfiche_uzbekistan_2017.pdf or here.

 

Recent policy updates, major reforms and related news

According to “Comprehensive Development Programme of the Higher Education System for 2017-2021” adopted in 2017 the implementation of Higher Education reform process for the whole year 2018 has been intensified by a number of significant decisions and considerable developments: on quality improvement of graduate training, qualification upgrading of academic staff of higher educational institutions, wide-scale development of international relations; opening new HEIs, establishing of joint degree programmes and joint faculties, introduction of new education directions and specialties, extramural and evening departments, university autonomy on student quotas and educational programmes according to labour market needs, recognition of diploma obtained abroad etc. The total number of HEIs has been increased from 77 in 2016 to 95 in 2018. 16 new joint programmes have been introduced in cooperation with prestigious overseas universities. Students quotas of overall admission to HEIs have been doubled. It is worth to underline that as of the next year (2020) it will be possible to submit application for admission to several HEIs in one round.

Two Presidential Decrees on “Additional measures on enhancing quality of education in higher education institutions and ensuring their proactive involvement in considerable reforms” (No 3775 of 5 June 2018) and “On strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan for innovative development for 2019-2021” (No 5544 of 21 September 2018) have encouraged the overall continuous changes in HE system of Uzbekistan.

Another important document on the issue is the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Uzbekistan's Development Strategy for 2017-2021” from 7 February 2017. In the priority areas of development of the social sphere (#IV): Development of education and science refers to all main aspects of the education system of the country like continuous education; strengthening of the material-technical base of educational institutions; improving the quality and effectiveness of higher education institutions through introduction of international standards; quality of teaching; gradual increase in admission quota in the higher educational institutions.

All above mentioned changes have demonstrated commitment of the Government to considerable and fundamental reforms of the HE system with an important role allocated to international cooperation.

 

 

Relevant projects and initiatives

All Tempus and Erasmus+ projects are aimed to introduce some value in the development of HE in the country with components like capacity building, curricula development and equipment. It should be noted that national projects are designed to mainly consider priorities of Uzbekistan and also have considerable impact with sustainable results. More information about completed and ongoing projects can be found in the NEO’s annual publications on http://erasmusplus.uz/publication/NEO-publications/index.htm. Below a couple of the Erasmus+ projects:

IMEP - Internationalisation and Modernization of Education and Processes in the Higher Education of Uzbekistan (http://imep.bimm.uz/). The main objective is to contribute to the internationalization and further enhancement of the Quality Assurance System in Higher Education of Uzbekistan through the development of continuous professional development, student and employer engagement in teaching and learning.

RENES – Development of Master Programme in Renewable Energy Sources and Sustainable Environment (http://www.reneseplus.uz/). The main goal of this project is to develop a new master's program on renewable energy sources and sustainable environment and implement the developed courses at all Uzbek partner universities. A wider objective of the project is to create educational base for training of a new generation of engineers in Renewable Energy sources and sustainable environment.

Another similar project has been launched by the World bank in 2016: Modernizing Higher Education Project (http://projects.worldbank.org/P128516?lang=en). The objectives of the Modernizing Higher Education Project for Uzbekistan are to strengthen the Recipient’s higher education system managerial capacity, and to improve both the labour market relevance and the learning environment of selected higher education institutions. There are four components to the project, the first component being Strengthening Higher Education Management. The project will support enhancement of the managerial capacity of the higher education system in Uzbekistan.

 

TAMs and SPHERE seminars in 2016 and 2017

 

1. 
   European experience on enhancing of graduates` employability. 10-11 July 2018, Fergana State University. EU expert: Enrico Dongiovanni, Project Manager for International Relations Alma Laurea Interuniversity Consortium, Bologna, Italy
   
2. 
   Integration of Science, Education and Professional Practice (on the example of foreign higher educational institutions). 20-21 November 2018, Bukhara Engineering Technological Institute. EU expert: Prof. Flavio Canavero, Professor of circuit theory and electromagnetic compatibility at the Electromagnetic Compatibility Group, Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino
   

 

 

Relevant links

 

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  Governmental portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan https://www.gov.uz/en
  
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  Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education http://www.edu.uz/en
  
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  Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan http://mininnovation.uz/en
  
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  The State Inspection for Supervision of Quality in Education under the Cabinet of Ministers the Republic of Uzbekistan http://www.tdi.uz/en
  
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  National Coordinating Unit of the European Union’s Technical Assistance Programme in Uzbekistan http://ncu.uz/?lang=en
  
• 
  Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/uzbekistan_en
  
• 
  HERE section of NEO website: http://erasmusplus.uz/heres/Goals-and-Objectives/index.htm
  
• 
  List of HEREs on NEO website: http://erasmusplus.uz/heres/Team/index.htm 
  
• 
  HERE publications or articles: http://erasmusplus.uz/publication/Publications-of-Experts/index.htm
  
• 
  NEO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/erasmusplusuz
  
• 
  NEO telegram channel: https://t.me/erasmus_uzb
  
• 
  HERE Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/uzheres/
  

Once Uzbekistan became independent in 1991, it realised that to improve its socio-economic condition, the country would have to bring about radical reforms in its education system. The system had to be such that not only would it fulfill national interests, it would also make Uzbekistan competitive in the world market. Hence, this brought about many reforms in the education system, particularly higher education.

Today, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education co-ordinates and funds higher education in the country. The country boasts of 34 high education institutes and all them responsible to the Ministry.

Types of Higher Educational Institutes in Uzbekistan

The following types of higher education institutes are present in the country:

University – This institute is responsible for imparting Bachelor’s and Master’s level education in wide ranging fields of study as well as professional training. There are 22 universities in the country, which are responsible for conducting fundamental and applied science research.

Academy – This type of higher education institute offers two levels of education and postgraduate programmes in specific fields. There are 3 academies and all of them are located in the capital city of Tashkent.

Institute – Such a higher education institute offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and postgraduate programmes in specific fields. There are around 41 institutes in Uzbekistan.

Admissions to higher education institutes are possible through either grants or paid basis. Every year, in August, detailed information for enrolment is published and students who wish to pursue higher education have to sit for tests. Students require in-depth knowledge and understanding along with logical thinking and reasoning skills to pass the tests. Just those who pass get admissions in higher education institutes. The students, who get top marks in the test, can pick a university or institute of their choice. If a student cannot get government funding for higher education, they opt for paid studies which is paid by parents, organisations or companies. Students can also apply for educational loans after successfully passing the enrolment tests.

Using Technology in Higher Education Institutes

Teaching methods, styles and techniques vary quite a bit in higher education institutes in Uzbekistan. Some opt for lecture style methods, while others may use complete improvisation. If a higher education institute has technology, such as TVs and VCRs, it is used. However, use of computers, the Internet and LCD projectors is not widespread. In fact, it is rare because of high costs, substandard maintenance system and chances of theft.

Internationalisation of Higher Education in Uzbekistan

Internationalisation of higher education is a priority in the country. The government has signed many agreements with other nations, so Uzbek students have the option of getting educated in foreign universities. Furthermore, many Uzbek universities get support and have close working relationship with foreign universities in the UK, US and Germany. The country hopes that with these measures in place, it will be able to involve foreign scientists and teachers in the teaching process in higher education institutes in the country, be able to organise international conferences to solve problems plaguing higher education and also attract much needed foreign investment.

Challenges in Higher Education in Uzbekistan

Some of the challenges that higher education is facing in the country include the following:

• Adopt the requirements of the Bologna Process in Uzbek higher education system, so that it meets the international and global standards

• Have uniform curricula across the country for same programmes offered by different higher education institutes

• Create a information and educational network that connects higher education institutes that have Internet, so that they can access it

• Retrain the teaching staff at higher education institutes, so that they are well-versed with the latest pedagogical methods

• Have specialities that meet the specific demands of the labour market

• Have a good quality assurance system to accredit higher education institutes.

1. 
   Higher education
   

Higher education is tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Higher education, also called post-secondary education, third-level or tertiary education, is an optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after completion of secondary education. It represents levels 6, 7 and 8 of the 2011 version of the International Standard Classification of Education structure. Tertiary education at a non-degree level is sometimes referred to as further education or continuing education as distinct from higher education. The right of access to higher education is mentioned in a number of international human rights instruments. The UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 declares, in Article 13, that "higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education". In Europe, Article 2 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted in 1950, obliges all signatory parties to guarantee the right to education Since World War II, developed and many developing countries have increased the participation of the age group who mostly studies higher education from the elite rate, of up to 15 per cent, to the mass rate of 16 to 50 per cent. In many developed countries, participation in higher education has continued to increase towards universal or, what Trow later called, open access, where over half of the relevant age group participate in higher education. Higher education is important to national economies, both as an industry, in its own right, and as a source of trained and educated personnel for the rest of the economy. College educated workers have commanded a measurable wage premium and are much less likely to become unemployed than less educated workers.

1. 
   Higher education
   

Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education is the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology. Higher education also includes certain college-level institutions, such as vocational schools, trade schools, and career colleges, that award academic degrees or professional certifications. The right of access to higher education is mentioned in a number of international human rights instruments. The UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 declares, in Article 13, that "higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education". In Europe, Article 2 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted in 1950, obliges all signatory parties to guarantee the right to education.

The Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences is the leading institution in all types of research. Only top graduate studies can be conducted within the Academy. Universities and institutes are both research and educational institutions. Universities are educational institutions responsible for the preparation of skilled professors and teachers, as well as academic staff and researchers in a variety of disciplines. Institutes are responsible for the preparation of various specialists.

Institutions of higher education belong to different Ministries:

• 
  The Ministry of Higher Education administers 32 universities and institutes to offer students a variety of programs including economics, engineering, finance, languages, oriental studies, architecture, chemistry, and technology.
  
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  The Ministry of Public Education administers six institutes for the training of teachers in elementary, secondary, and higher education.
  
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  The Ministry of Health administers seven institutes for medical and pharmaceutical training.
  
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  The Ministry of Agriculture administers four institutes for training students in agriculture, agricultural mechanization, irrigation, and economics.
  
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  The Ministry of Justice administers one law institute in Tashkent.
  
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  The Ministry of Culture administers three institutes for the study of art, music, theater, and cinema of which all are in Tashkent.
  
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  In Samarkand, Uzbekbirlashov, the cooperative company administers the Cooperative institute.
  

Finally, there is the Uzbek State Institute for Physical Training, the Tashkent Institute of Railway Engineers, the Institute for Civil Aviation, and the University of World Economics and Diplomacy. The latter comes under the auspices of the President and prepares students majoring in journalism, world diplomacy, and economics.

The number of majors offered in higher education in Uzbekistan is over 270, and the number of specialties is over 600. The Soviet-style higher education system differed greatly from the western model. A five-year education was equal to the Master's degree level in the West, for example. Today this causes confusion in recalculating the degrees. Educational authorities therefore decided to adopt the western system and reduce higher education programs to four years. According to some sources, the transition from five-years of higher education to the international system with Bachelor's (four years) and Master's degrees (two years) has been completed. However, according to American Council for Collaboration in Education and Language Study (ACCELS) administering the American Educational Advising Center (EAC) in Tashkent, only some of the accredited higher education institutions have changed. One example is the University of World Economics and Diplomacy that offers Bachelor's degrees after four years of study and Master's degrees after two additional years of study. Medical institutes have five to six year programs depending on specialty.

In Uzbekistan, all universities and institutes are public. Private institutions of higher education are not yet available. To be admitted to university-level studies, an individual must complete any form of secondary school and have either a Certificate of Complete Secondary Education or a Diploma equal to this certificate. Because higher education in the Soviet system was free and the government provided assistance in the form of stipends, the demand for the university seats was always very high. Thousands of people competed for the limited slots (sometimes over 10 candidates per slot). This system allowed universities and institutes to select the best individuals by giving entrance exams, but caused millions to be deprived of the opportunity for higher education. Additionally, admission occurred only once a year for the same program. Unfortunately, results of these examinations and selections were too often influenced by high-ranking officials and senior leaders trying to help their youngsters. This was the area where nepotism, clannishness, and even corruption were normal. This caused even the most talented and gifted school graduates to be rejected.

Since 1993, entrance exams have been changed to tests. All entrance tests take place simultaneously on 1 August throughout the republic. Admission to higher educational institutions is based primarily on merit. However, in some institutions, authorities require an interview to determine the student's aptitude and motivation in a given field. Universities and institutes also require a basic medical check to ensure that students are free from all types of infections and fit to pursue their studies.

Traditionally, universities and institutes were divided into fakultets. Facultets are like schools (of business or of education, for example) in American universities. They are structural units reflecting major fields of specialization. Fakultet is further divided into specific kafedras or chairs (departments) dedicated to narrower specialties. As an example, it may be the German language kafedra (chair) and French language kafedra (chair) within the fakultet of Foreign languages. The latter may belong to the Pedagogical Institute that also has a facultet of physics and math (educating teachers of physics and math), a facultet of geography (educating teachers of geography), and a fakultet of biology (educating teachers of biology). Each institution of higher education is headed by a rector with the fakultets led by deans and the kafedras (chairs) led by chair chiefs.

In addition to normally enrolled students, universities and institutes often accept some candidates with marginal scores compared to the already enrolled students that can replace poor performing students or possible dropouts. Teaching styles and techniques at the higher education level differ greatly from, for example, a pure lecture style to absolute improvisation. Using technology, such as TVs and VCRs, is possible (if the equipment is available), but computers and LCD projectors are quite rare because of the high cost, inferior maintenance structure, and high probability of theft. In the Soviet system, studying in the institutions of higher education was free of charge, and moreover, the government paid students some stipends. These stipends covered at least some of life's expenses because students did not have any time for work. Many students had to have their parents' support or work at night to sustain them.

Since 1995, due to the processes of democratization, many institutions introduced admission on a contractual basis with tuition charges paid by the student. In the 1999 to 2000 academic year 25 higher education institutions admitted 2012 students to the undergraduate courses and 830 of them (41.3 percent) were on the contract basis. In general, out of 39,500 students studying for their bachelor degree, 17,600 (44.6 percent) have been admitted on the contract basis. Further commercialization of the educational system will make this situation normal.

Classes generally last five to six hours a day every day of the week. Students often study on Saturdays and usually have 30 to 36 hours of studying a week. Semester courses have an exam at the end of semester. If courses last for more than a semester, then there is zachet (test with no grade that is pass or fail) at the end of the first semester and an exam at the end of the course. Semester requirements allow no more than five examinations (two exams plus three zachets or three exams plus two zachets) to be taken. During the last two to three years of education, students also have some writing examinations in the form of a "diploma paper" that shows the student's ability to conduct research. Students also take one or two State Exams that cover all the specialty material studied. Generally, the State Examination Commission includes the industry representatives or science authorities from other universities. Successful graduates get a Diploma of a Specialist that is accepted at all jobs.

With the decline of the Soviet system and lack of financial support, professional education and training for specialists has also declined. What was previously called kursy povysheniya kvalifikatsii (qualification raising courses) seldom occurs. Conferences and symposia for teachers and other professionals to exchange experiences are often canceled. Professional journals and magazines are no longer available, and foreign editions are often too costly. Some industries and commercial entities that have their own centers can afford retraining and targeted training. Otherwise, teachers and many other specialists are left on their own in their quest for perfection.

In 1998, almost 300 educational and research institutions employed over 25,000 scientists and researchers. Most talented graduates from the university or institute enter aspirantura (postgraduate training—first level). After three years of study, two to three exams, and the writing and Defending of a dissertation, a Kandidat Nauk degree (Candidate of Sciences, which is equivalent to a Ph.D.) is conferred by the Cabinet of Ministers. Kandidat Nauk (unlike the Ph.D. in the United States) is not a terminal degree. The highest scientific level is the Doktor Nauk (Doctor of Sciences) degree, which is approximately equal to the postdoctoral level in the United States. Because this degree is highly honored and influential, the government places significant requirements on those pursuing it. To apply for this degree and/or to enter doktorantura, an individual must:

• 
  become a distinguished researcher in their chosen field
  
• 
  provide a very broad generalization for the field of study,
  
• 
  patent and implement a very important (revolutionary) invention
  
• 
  discover or establish a new field of research or new science.
  

To obtain this degree, the scholar must also have many years of experience and publications in major scientific journals. Such a scholar either enters a doktorantura (no exams, only a competitive dissertation proposal and the highest credentials), or writes the dissertation during his or her free time. There are no formal classes or exams because the student is practically the first "specialist" in a particular field. The dissertation (two times longer than the Ph.D. dissertation) is formally and publicly defended in the presence of the scientific council with 10 to 20 specialists of the Doctor of Sciences level. So after two to three years of doktorantura, if the dissertation is accepted and successfully defended, the scholar earns the Doctor of Sciences degree conferred by the Cabinet of Ministers (not by University authorities as it is traditionally done in the West). His or her contribution opens new areas of research for future Ph.D. candidates, and the scholar becomes a scientific mentor in their research or establishes a school. Government requirements, defending procedure, and conferring authority are what differentiates the Doctor of Sciences degree from Western postdoctoral studies. This former Soviet system-based degree, which is required to get a full professorship, is available in Uzbekistan (as well as in many other European and Asian countries, including Denmark, Latvia, and so on).

All top administrators and rectors of universities and colleges, deans of schools, and heads of departments have a Doctor of Sciences degree. Finally, in order to become a full member of the Academy of Science, this degree is a must. In very rare cases when the quality of research and dissertation is exceptionally high, a Doctor of Sciences degree may be awarded right after the Kandidat Nauk dissertation. From 1994 to 1998 the number of Doktor Nauk (Doctors of Sciences) in Uzbekistan grew by 8 percent and has reached 2.5 thousand, while the number of Kandidat Nauk (Candidates of Sciences) grew by 9 percent and reached 155,000.

In order to be admitted to the university, foreign students should hold a Complete Secondary Education Certificate (or its equivalent) and fulfill certain entry requirements. Applicants must contact the proper embassy to obtain information on visa regulations and educational requirements. Since the languages of instruction in the educational institutions of Uzbekistan are Uzbek and Russian, most institutions offer Uzbek and Russian courses for foreign students. Uzbekistan, as is the case with many other developing countries, builds its international future through educating new generations abroad. In addition to over 700 students and young professionals studying abroad thanks to the sponsorship of the Umid Foundation, the Ustoz foundation was established to ensure the re-training of teachers on leading pedagogical technologies and innovations both in Uzbekistan and abroad. American specialists and organizations also help to identify talented and gifted students for study in the United States.

Most schools have their own libraries. The majority of school libraries have only 70-75 percent of required materials. As a result, pupils have inadequate access to information. Some of the higher institution libraries, such as the Samarkand State University library that contains over three million volumes (including 10,000 unique medieval manuscripts,) are big. Others are small and contain a few hundred books. Libraries also offer a number of current magazines and periodicals. In addition to the school libraries, regions, towns, and cities have their own public libraries. Libraries traditionally play a significant role in education and the daily life of the citizens.

New electronic libraries are being introduced with the help of the international community. For example, LIBANTA (LIBrary ANtverpen TAshkent) was built as an international project with Belgium at the Tashkent Electrotechnical Institute of Communication. It includes a graduate center equipped with lecture halls, computer classes with Internet access, and a scientific-technical library with automation data. It also offers students video-cassettes and CD-ROMs.


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