Starting April 10, Uzbekistan has enacted a new admission procedure for master's and doctoral programs, exempting bachelor's graduates who studied in a foreign language from the mandatory submission of a language certificate. This reform aims to streamline the process for students with foreign-language education backgrounds and provides them with additional benefits, potentially easing barriers to advanced studies.
For other fields, requirements have been differentiated: threshold levels of C1 are maintained for specialties in foreign languages, while a B2 level remains mandatory for law, journalism, economics, and information technology. In contrast, fields such as medicine, engineering, architecture, and art see a simplification of existing certification norms, which could broaden access for applicants in these sectors and reflect a tailored approach to educational standards.
The reform also introduces a system of financial incentives for higher education institutions based on their performance in the national ranking, effective from January 1, 2027. Evaluation will be conducted by the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, using criteria such as graduate employment rates, scientific activity, and digitalization levels. The top 20% of institutions in their categories will receive first-tier status, granting them enhanced budgetary incentives, a move that may drive competition but also raises questions about equitable resource distribution.
Additionally, 10 universities will be designated as national research universities following a competition for scientific cluster projects. This initiative is intended to boost research capabilities and foster international collaboration, though its long-term impact on Uzbekistan's global academic standing remains to be seen amid ongoing challenges in higher education infrastructure.
To elevate the international profile of education, the “New Uzbekistan Scholarship” program has been launched, offering grants to up to 500 talented foreign citizens annually using unused quotas from state orders. While this seeks to attract global talent and enhance Uzbekistan's educational reputation, it coincides with broader reforms that critics argue may strain domestic resources and prioritize external perception over substantive improvements in local academic quality.
Source: podrobno.uz