A decree on a large-scale reform of the higher education, science and innovation system has been approved in Uzbekistan. The central element is the "U10 – Global Advanced Universities of Uzbekistan" program, aimed at forming a network of 10 leading universities in the country with enhanced research potential.
The initiative plans to introduce the status of a national research university, which will be received by the winners of a special competition. Also, from 2027, a new system of financing universities will be introduced, linked to their results in the national ranking: universities will be distributed by levels depending on the effectiveness and quality of student training.
The reform also affects other areas: the procedure for calculating the cost of training one student under a state order is being updated, new centers for the development of higher and digital education are being created, and the "Study in Uzbekistan" platform for foreign students is being launched. In addition, the "New Uzbekistan Scholarship" program is being introduced, which will allow attracting up to 500 foreign students to study in the country annually.