Senator seeks clarity on studying at 2 universities simultaneously

Bahrom Abdullayev, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Education, and Healthcare of the Supreme Majlis, has sent an official request to Kungratboy Sharipov, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovations, regarding the possibility of studying at two universities simultaneously.

The Senate press service reported that the request was made in response to growing concerns over the limited opportunities for citizens to pursue education at two higher educational institutions at the same time. These complaints highlight challenges faced by individuals who wish to study at both state and non-state universities in various formats, such as full-time and distance learning or evening and correspondence courses.

Abdullayev’s request aims to clarify these issues and address any obstacles in current legislation. According to the request, while the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan guarantee the right to education, there are existing regulations that limit students' ability to enroll in multiple universities simultaneously. Specifically, Resolution No. 393 of June 20, 2017, stipulates that applicants can only submit their original documents to one higher education institution, and students registered in the HEMIS system are unable to re-register at another institution. These restrictions prevent students from pursuing multiple areas of education concurrently.

The senator noted that such limitations are not present in countries like the USA, European nations, Russia, and Kazakhstan, where students are allowed to enroll in multiple universities and obtain multiple degrees simultaneously.

In light of these concerns, Abdullayev has requested an official explanation from Sharipov to clarify whether it is possible for citizens to study at both state and non-state higher education institutions at the same time.

The request also highlighted the significant reforms in Uzbekistan’s higher education sector in recent years, aimed at modernizing the system, incorporating global best practices, and expanding access to quality education through increased private sector involvement.

For context, the number of higher education institutions in Uzbekistan has grown from 77 in 2017 to 203 today, with student enrollment increasing from 9 percent to 42 percent. Over 170,000 students are now studying in 69 non-state institutions.