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Reforms in the Field of Higher and Professional Education
Positive reforms taking place in the field of higher education are becoming an important factor in providing the labor market with highly qualified personnel. The past year was also rich in changes in this area.
The number of higher education institutions increased from 199 to 213, i.e. by 14.
Through the creation of a healthy competitive environment and the involvement of the private sector, three non-state higher education institutions were established. The number of state universities increased from 114 to 116. More than 190 thousand admission quotas were allocated for study at state higher education institutions of the republic (including 34,930 funded by state grants).
The number of students in the country exceeded 1.3 million. Higher education coverage among youth expanded from 38 to 42 percent.
In 2023, higher education institutions successfully graduated more than 176 thousand students in total. This figure increased by 59.7 percent compared to 2022.
1,147 undergraduate students were awarded Scholarships of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and named state scholarships, of whom 695 students became recipients.
Among 120 registered master’s students applying for Presidential and named state scholarships, 18 students were awarded these scholarships.
Joint educational programs of 48 state universities, developed in cooperation with 20 foreign countries, passed expert review. A total of 6,818 quotas were approved for 289 joint educational programs with positive conclusions.
In the QS “Subject Rankings”, two universities entered the Top 500 in four subjects. In the QS “Asian University Rankings 2024”, 14 universities entered the Top 1000, while in the QS “Sustainability Rankings 2024”, three universities were included in the Top 1000.
A total of 3,574 articles were published in leading journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
In 2023, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized 10 international-level events, including rectors’ forums and other initiatives aimed at strengthening academic cooperation.
Significant work was also carried out in the system of professional education.
Three resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers were adopted concerning state grants, dual education, and the implementation of the credit-module system.
179.4 thousand students were admitted to professional training programs in 234 professions. The number of grant-funded places in technical colleges increased by 7,832 (reaching 22,368). A total of 65 new textbooks were published with a print run of 49.2 thousand copies.
As of the end of 2023, 558 projects are being implemented under state scientific programs. 486 developments have been commercialized by universities and research organizations.
The implementation of 110 international joint research projects has been coordinated. Competitions for new international projects were also announced with several foreign countries.
In 2023, the number of doctoral quotas funded from the state budget increased to 4,307.
The Agency for Innovative Development announced nine startup project competitions, as a result of which 54 startup projects were recommended for funding.
Over the past six years, more than 700 young scientists have been sent for research internships to over 30 foreign countries, contributing to the development of scientific potential and international cooperation.
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