On enhancing access to higher education and integrating emerging technologies into learning
How is the ministry expanding access to higher education while also bolstering academic quality?
KONGRATBAY SHARIPOV: Youth comprise nearly 60% of Uzbekistan’s population, presenting both a significant responsibility and a tremendous opportunity. On the one hand, it drives rapidly growing demand for higher education; on the other hand, it provides the country with a strong foundation for developing human capital. Our first priority is to ensure that more young people have access to higher education. Over the past decade, the number of higher education institutions has increased from 77 to 207, creating a more diverse system with public, private and international universities. As a result, the gross enrolment rate has risen from 9% to 44%, giving hundreds of thousands of young people greater opportunities to pursue higher education within Uzbekistan.
The next phase of our reforms is focused on modernising academic content and aligning our higher education system with international standards. All universities have adopted the credit-module system, more than 2000 academic programmes have been updated based on the curricula of leading international universities, 122 academic programmes have obtained international accreditation and more than 441 joint academic programmes have been established with foreign partner institutions. These reforms have significantly strengthened the international integration and quality of our higher education system.
What is the framework governing foreign university collaboration?
SHARIPOV: International cooperation is one of the key pillars of higher education reform in Uzbekistan. Our objective is not simply to increase the number of foreign university branches operating in the country but to integrate international academic expertise, modern teaching methodologies and globally recognised quality standards into our national higher education system. Today, 32 foreign higher education institutions operate in Uzbekistan, while more than 441 joint academic programmes have been established with international partner universities. Among these, 42 programmes are delivered in cooperation with universities ranked among the world’s top 500. These partnerships are expanding academic mobility for both students and faculty, promoting joint research and strengthening the institutional capacity of Uzbek universities.
Another important priority is positioning Uzbekistan as a regional education destination. Beginning with the 2026/27 academic year, international students will be able to apply through the Study in Uzbekistan portal. We are also introducing the New Uzbekistan Scholarship Programme, organising the Central Asia International Education Conference, and expanding education exports to enhance Uzbekistan’s visibility and attractiveness within the global higher education landscape.
In what ways is Uzbekistan integrating its higher education institutions into the national innovation ecosystem, and what investment is behind this?
SHARIPOV: Universities are no longer viewed solely as providers of education but as key contributors to the national innovation ecosystem – centres where new knowledge is generated, advanced technologies are developed and innovative solutions are created. To support this transformation, we have fundamentally reformed the way research is financed. A competitive grant-based funding mechanism has been introduced, allowing research projects to be supported through government funding based on national priorities. Today, 586 research projects with a combined value of UZS 1.1 trn ($90.2m) are being implemented under government scientific programmes. Public funding for research has increased 2.5-fold since 2018, reaching UZS 484.2 bn ($39.7m) in 2025. This investment is creating a stronger foundation for high quality research and innovation across our universities.
We are placing significant emphasis on strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship within higher education institutions. To date, 68 university-based spin-off companies have been established, while more than 300 research outputs have been successfully commercialised in domestic and international markets. In addition, $344.6 bn has been invested in financing
592 start-up projects. These initiatives have resulted in the establishment of 506 innovative enterprises, the creation of more than 4000 new jobs and the attraction of foreign investment into the innovation ecosystem. Developing innovation infrastructure is another strategic priority. Today, universities operate 17 engineering schools specialising in strategic areas such as green energy, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, transport, construction and industrial technologies. At the same time, youth technoparks have been established across all 13 regions of the country, alongside technology parks, venture funds and innovation centres.
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